AMERICA/BRAZIL - “We urge everyone to cultivate a culture of life, not death. Contempt for life always leads to escalation of violence, insecurity, poverty and hunger”. Catholic Bishops respond to Federal Government’s decision to revise the law on abortion

Monday, 13 December 2004

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Brasilia (Fides Service) - “The revision of the Abortion Law” was the title of a message issued on 9 December by the Catholic Bishops of Brazil, signed by Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia who is President of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference, CNBB. Responding to the Federal Government’s decision to revise the law on abortion, the Bishops affirm the “sacredness of life of every human being”. The government intends to discuss addition of more legal reasons for practising abortion, today limited to cases of rape or when the mother’s life is in danger. The Bishops demand full respect for the life of every human being whatever the state of development of condition, because “this principle is the foundation of all human rights and it is the basis for worthy social coexistence in justice and solidarity”.
In the document the CNBB encourages everyone to build a culture of life not death because “contempt for human life, in the past and in the present, only leads to an escalation of violence, insecurity, revenge, murder, more poverty and hunger”. The Bishops underlines: “What is needed is education to co-existence which is fraternal not fratricidal. Respect for the weaker and most fragile persons is an expression of authentic culture and humanity”. The message ends with a prayer to God that people may realise that “only love for others, beginning with respect for life, can guarantee authentic peace”. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 13/12/2004, righe 17, parole 246)