The early church did not preach this "life begins at conception" nonsense. E.g., St Augustine and many of the early church fathrs only beleived that abortion is wrong after 'quickening", at about three months.

This is reflected in the hagiography of St. Bridgit, the other patron saint of Ireland. One of her asserted "miracles" was terminating the pregnancy of a young nun before the mother superior discovered the transgression.

Needless to say, more modern church stories of St. Bridgit omit this particular incident.