HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 19 no. 4 (2024)

Phenomenological Inquiry on Views of Modern-Day Priests on Abortion and Premarital Sex

Anne Harriet Estrella | Leia Jeinne Manig | Jaeron Edzel Dizon | Sid Benedict Salvador | Louise Jazmine Velayo | Joseph A Villarama

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

Conservative Christian countries consider abortion immoral-murderous and premarital sex (PMS) unacceptable. The Catholic church believes marriage is sacred; sexual intercourse should not happen outside it. This qualitative study determines if the individual stances of priests differ from the Catholic church’s overall views and explores the origin of their perspectives on abortion and ??s. Seven (7) priests from the Silent Generation until Millennials participated in a semi-structured interview in different locales in the Philippines. Results showed that the individual stances of priests do not differ from the church’s non-progressiveness. The origins of priests' beliefs (e.g., family backgrounds) play a role in upholding their stances, but age does not. There is no positive light for legalizing abortion, but accepting PMS is possible with time. With this, the study shall bring light to these issues, aiming to legalize abortion and destigmatize PMS in conservative nations (e.g., the Philippines).



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