Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - “The referendum gave voice to the will of the people: matters of human life cannot be decided with a referendum or a vote. I believe that with their non-vote Italians wanted to say that maternity is a human experience of immense value to be fostered in every way but not at any price; a child is not a right to claim over and above the rights of the child itself. Scientific research is necessary but it must have ethnical limits, not everything possible is lawful”.
Luigi Alici, new President of Catholic Action Italy voiced satisfaction for the outcome of the referendum on whether or not to relax fertility treatment laws.
“What is more -Alici continued - the referendum should lead us to reflect on the fact that this was not a matter of a battle between believers and non in Italy. For our part we can say that Catholics have always played an active part in public life offering an important contribution towards the birth and growth of democracy in our country. And it is in the light of this contribution that we want to voice our yes to life, yes to the family protected and defended with adequate laws which offer support to young couples and large families.
Life is a wondrous gift. It is not a question of anonymous isolated events, but rather a plan which starts from the embryo and proceeds to fullness; it is therefore a whole which can only be understood as such because from the very first moment it bears the seal of the Creator as our Bishops remind us.
On behalf of Catholic Action I wish to thank the Science and Life Committee and to confirm our commitment to reflect on the fundamental values which are the foundation of our democracy and to promote life and the family: these themes will be central in the formative initiatives of our Association”. (AP) (14/6/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:28; Parole:357)
