PROBLEM OF ABORTION AND COVID- 19 IN NIGERIA AND THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA ANGLICAN COMMUNION

Abstract

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. There are two types of abortion: spontaneous (miscarriage) and criminal (induced). Spontaneous abortion occurs naturally due to fetal malformations or chromosomal abnormalities while criminal abortion is the unlawful expulsion of the fetus by artificial means which when done to save the life of the mother is therapeutic abortion. In Nigeria abortion is not legal and attracts a fine, yet it is carried out clandestinely by women and girls for convenience through use of pills or surgical procedures. High risk behaviours of adolescents make them go into untimely and unhealthy sexual activities thereby getting pregnant and subsequent abortion. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as illness caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). During the lock down due to covid-19 in 2020/2021 some women and girls got pregnant and a number of them committed abortion. The research will adopt phenomenological approach primarily. The Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion is Bible based, believes the foetus is God's creation, sacred and a living human being that should not be aborted under any guise except if the mother's life is gravely at risk. The Church teaches fear of God and his word, holiness, chastity and is against promiscuity which leads to abortions. She encourageswearing of face masks, social distancing and washing of hands as ways to curb the spread of covid-19 virus.