Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church in the Dominican Republic has launched an articulated anti-abortion campaign which includes, besides demonstrations, also special Masses in various parts of the country. The initiative was launched at Casa San Pablo in Santo Domingo, with an address by the rector of Santo Domingo Autonomous University UASD: who declared that his mother's doctor tried to persuade her to have an abortion to protect her own health.
Another initiative suggested by the local Church is for vehicles should keep their headlights on all day as a “sign pro life” on 25 October. The same day a group of religious will go to the National Congress for a symbolic embrace with parliament. Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez Archbishop of Santo Domingo will preside a Mass at the Parliament building. The mass will be concelebrated by the auxiliary Bishops of the archdiocese. For 28 October Catholic religious have organised a “Pro Life March” and arranged for a platform in front of the National Congress where artists will paint pictures to support life.
Recently the local Catholic Church denounced certain international bodies and NGOs for pressuring the government and national legislators to de-penalise abortion in the Republic. The president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Benito Ramón de la Rosa y Carpio of Santiago de los Caballeros, said in a statement that “there is big business behind abortion”, no wonder there is pressure for its de-penalisation (see Fides 21/9/2007). (AP) (5/10/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:20; Parole:261)
