Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ayaviri (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday, March 29, the Prelature of Ayaviri celebrated a special Mass for the “Day of the Unborn Child,” presided by Bishop Kay Schmalhausen of Ayaviri, in which he once more brought to mind the clear teaching and activity of the Church in favor of life and against the atrocious practice of abortion. Agenzia Fides learned of the event in a statement sent by Bishop Kay himself.
After mentioning that “the Church has once again been attacked in the person of the Successor of Peter, as a result of her teachings which are coherent to the Gospel,” he recalled how in his trip to Africa, “the Holy Father explained that the solution AIDS consists more in 'bringing out the human dimension of sexuality, that is to say a spiritual and human renewal that would bring with it a new way of behaving towards others,' which goes far beyond the simplistic solution of condoms, at times violently defended by countries, governments, and groups with economic interests working from developed nations. Today, it is not uncommon to find that their reaction at times is irrational and very little tolerant.”
He later said that “the Church must lift her voice once more to proclaim: 'You shall not kill'.” Abortion, the elimination of human life, is never a solution. It remains a serious problem that has terrible consequences on individuals and on society.”
Mentioning the social effects of abortion, the Prelate recalled that “a society that consents to the elimination of its own children in their mothers' wombs is headed for self-destruction and moral decadence. Abortion is, in fact, a direct attack on life and authentic murder, in many cases not even desired by the mother who at times has no other way out.”
Lastly, Bishop Schmalhausen observed that “there are an increasing number of chilling testimonies of women, victims of post-abortion syndrome, who in their quest to be healed (whether it be through the Sacrament of Confession or through therapy) of their terrible spiritual wounds from the death of their child in their womb, bear witness to the absolute indifference and even guilt of the society and the government as conspirators in this drama that leads to an abortion. Today they suffer because they were not offered the help they needed beforehand in finding a solution that would be just for both the human lives involved: that of the mother who suffers solitude and that of the child inside her who has the right to live and fights for life.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2009)
