An act is good or bad dependng on whether it is in obedience or disobedience to the commands of Christ. So far abortion is being condemned because it goes against the child’s right to life. For Catholics the basis for our condemnation is because it goes against the commands of Christ. What commands?
Children are important because it is from them that we learn how to be children again, a requirement to enter the kingdom of God. Of course, we can always learn from our own youth but at age 65 we can’t remember what happened when we were 40, how much more our youth. The whole New Testament teaches us how to become children again; and to have children around us is a great help since we have an actual demonstration how it is done.
And so if Moloch, (I mean the devil), would want to prevent us from learning how to become children againt, all he has to do is convince us to get rid of those “fetuses.” No children to teach us how to become children again; no chance for us to be great in the kingdom of heaven.
Then Christ adds: “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” Christ identifies Himself with those “fetuses.” He who receives and welcomes a conceived child receives and welcomes Christ. And he who rejects through family planning or abortion one of those “fetuses” rejects Christ. Now tell me what more serious sin can you imagine that can plunge us to hell than to reject Christ? Maybe crucifying Christ? But disobeying Christ’s command is liken to crucifying Christ!
Christ continues; “See that you do not despise one of these little one, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.” That’s like saying if you abort that child his guardian angel will stand witness against you in heaven. With an angel on the side of the prosecution what chance do you have.
Of course, when Christ refers to children in the Gospels, He usually means innocent children or grown ups who have become like little children again. So His condemnation will apply to old people who have become like little children whom we refuse to take care and/or subjected to euthanasia.(The painting above is “Madonna con bambino” by Pompeo Batoni)