Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) – About 50 lay Catholic organizations will inaugurate the Shrine for the Victims of Abortion in the “Panteón Civil de Dolores,” which will also become a “prayer space” for women suffering from guilt after having aborted and for the loss of an unborn child. The initiative is supported by the Archdiocese of Mexico and among the organizers are groups such as the Pro-Life Movement, the National Parents Union, Union of Wills, Rights for the Unborn, and others.
The Shrine hopes to offer the citizens of Mexico City a place of prayer and reconciliation with God, to receive those people suffering from the affects of abortion. There is also a possibility that, upon the request of mothers, the remains of the babies aborted every day could be laid to rest there. In a press release, these groups state that, “it is an internationally-known fact that laboratories and pharmaceutical companies pay exorbitant amounts of money for these remains to be used for research, as well as in the production of medicines and clinical materials. The lack of control and clear regulations can only facilitate the traffic of embryos.”
During his homily yesterday (September 7) in the city’s Cathedral, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico City, asked that the Catholic community not remain indifferent in the face of such atrocious decisions that go against life, as they will have to answer before God for their omissions. At the end of the Mass, a document presented by the group “Union of Wills” to the entire Mexican Church was read. In it, the authors express their regret for the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion in the capital city. With the exhortation made by Cardinal Rivera, asking that Catholics unite to defend life, especially in terms of the pregnant women that for various circumstances view abortion as the only solution, over 50 Catholic organizations have decided to begin working according to the Cardinal’s petition.
Also, at the end of the Mass, the project “Do not kill them; give them to me!” was presented, in which over 59 institutions are working to prevent thousands of children from being aborted and arranging their adoption. A family with 9 children presented the project, and mentioned the fact that there are already over 1,610 married couples willing to adopt a child. “With this generous response,” they said, “we can trample any arguments that Mexican legislators want to make in favor of abortion, as if it were necessary. These institutions and couples are ready and waiting to receive and assist any woman who seeks their help, and to welcome their baby into their own homes and families.”
Cardinal Rivera thanked all the Catholic faithful for making the right to life their priority, “not only with protests, but with initiatives.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/9/2008)
