Canon XCI

Canon XCI.

Those who give drugs for procuring abortion, and those who receive poisons to kill the fœtus, are subjected to the penalty of murder.

Notes.

Ancient Epitome of Canon XCI.

Whoever gives or receives medicine to produce abortion is a homicide.

See Canon XXI. of Ancyra, and Canon II. of St. Basil; to wit, “She who purposely destroys the fœtus, shall suffer the punishment of murder.  And we pay no attention to the subtile distinction as to whether the fœtus was formed or unformed.  And by this not only is justice satisfied for the child that should have been born, but also for her who prepared for herself the snares, since the women very often die who make such experiments.”