For when God forbids us to kill, he not only prohibits us from open violence, which is not even allowed by the public laws, but he warns us against the commission of those things esteemed lawful among men. . . . Therefore let no one imagine that this is allowed, to strangle newborn children, which is the greatest impiety; for God breathes into their souls for life, and not for death. But men, that there may be no crime with which they may not pollute their hands, deprive souls as yet innocent and simple of the light that they themselves have not given. Can any one, indeed, expect that they would abstain from the blood of others who do not abstain from their own? But these are without any controversy wicked and unjust. –Divine Institutes, 6:20 (307 A.D).

Related content:

Early Critique of Abortion in the Church: “How great impiety!” 5 Lies Abortion Tells Us When It Is Legal What Did Early Christians Have to Say About Abortion in 50 AD? What Was Confession Like for the Early Church? Cyprian of Carthage Responds! Early Church Author Explains Mary’s Perpetual Virginity 3 Poems to Reflect on as Ireland Votes on Its Abortion Laws What Early Christians Said about the Real Presence in the Eucharist Abortion: A Modern day Massacre of the Innocents The Business Of Abortion “Blood Money”