Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Itaci (Agenzia Fides) – November 25-28, the city of Itaci (Brazil) will host the International Congress “Person, culture of death and culture of life,” organized by the Pontifical Academy for Life in collaboration with the Brazilian National Conference of Bishops (CNBB). It is the first time that a Congress of this kind is held outside of Rome. Fr. Anibal Gil Lopes, a member of the Academy, explains: “Every year, the Pontifical Academy for Life organizes a Congress prior to its General Assembly. In one of the recent Assemblies, the proposal was made that the event in Rome would take on much more pastoral meaning if it were multiplied through Congresses held in various different regions of the world.” That is why it was proposed that one be held in Brazil. Auxiliary Bishop Dimas Lara Barbosa of Rio de Janeiro, Secretary of the CNBB, says that “the initiative shows a continuity between our actions and the concrete response to the challenging theme of the Fraternity Campaign 2008 – Fraternity in Defense of Life-Choose Life.”
The Congress will cover main topics related to bioethics, such as: its anthropological basis, the human embryo, euthanasia, family and education that favors a healthy living of emotional life and sexuality. The Secretary mentions that “the participation of people from Brazil and other countries will offer a fuller vision of the international scene and our situation here in Latin America.”
Among the themes to be discussed, Fr. Anibal especially highlighted euthanasia, “a hot topic especially in Europe, and one towards which Brazil is already taking its first steps.” “The increase in life expectancy implies economic difficulties linked to the residencies, pensions, and the progressive decline in the birth rate. All these problems lead to the legalization of euthanasia, which is already occurring in several European nations.” In addition, Fr. Anibal says that “in all the Latin American nations, the same kinds of draft bills are beginning to appear at the same time. Thus, a common dialogue could help to better formulate arguments and make them more clear and convincing.” In this manner, Fr. Anibal concludes, “it will be an important support not only for our country, but for all Latin America.” The Congress is intended for professors of theology and philosophy, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, as well as people working in Family Ministry or Health Care Ministry, diocesan pro-life committees, and Justice and Peace Commissions. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 6/11/2008)
