Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Costa Rica (Agenzia Fides) – The Archdiocesan Catholic Action group (FAAC) of the Archdiocese of San Jose (Costa Rica), has sent a letter to the senior members of Parliament, asking that they conserve and defend authentic marriage between a man and a woman and human life from conception until natural death.
Firstly, they remind the politicians that Article 75 of the Constitution states that “the Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Religion is that of the State, which contributes to its maintenance, without impeding the freedom of worship for other religions, as long as they do not oppose universal moral code and healthy customs.” This article “introduces the Christian values in the vision of the country, for all Costa Ricans and especially our representatives, who by the will of the people (the majority of whom are Christian), declare laws in this perspective.” Thus, they are encouraged to “give great importance to this task, especially in the draft bills on the family and respect for life, that are now underway.”
They also remind them of the importance of marriage between a man and a woman, which has been “the basis for transmission of values for thousands of years.” Thus, they are asked not to make laws that go against this principle, so that “marriage between a man and a woman may continue being the basis of Costa Rican society, in which the presence of a man and a woman is the ideal living environment of a family in order to conserve those values based on God's love for us and the Incarnate Mercy, who is Christ.”
Another issue that they propose for consideration of the representatives is that of defense of life from the moment of conception. The Constitution itself, in Article 21 establishes that human life begins at conception, “however, in recent years, a culture of death and libertinism has been manifest in society, in which each person is free to do whatever they want with their body.” “The Church,” the letter continues, “faithful to the Lord's command, has always spoken out on and defended the sacred value of the life of every human being and, in addition, has promoted programs to support women and families.” The letter also states that abortion “has not only not solved problems...it has opened another wound in our society.”
Thus, the members of Catholic Action make a call to unite efforts so that “various institutions may once again focus on the defense of human life and make the family a priority. Families need to be assisted with all the legislative instruments available, in order to encourage their role as educators in raising children, in the difficult environment of modern society.”
“We are in a crucial moment of the country's life, in which the conservation of Christian values of respect for human life and the family, falls under your responsibility. We encourage you to make an appeal to people's consciences, so that our Costa Rica may be an example for the world of how to promote and declare laws that confirm our democracy in the highest ethical and moral principles,” they state in their final exhortation addressed to the country's legal representatives. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 4/12/2008)
