AMERICA/MEXICO - “An anti conception and anti birth mentality deriving from a mentality of abortion has produced a plot against life which strikes at the development and growth of our young people, marriage and the family”: conclusion of Seminar on Bio-ethics

Cuernavaca (Fides Service) - “At this moment the people of this Continent feel the need to hear the voices of the bishops who confirm the value and inviolability of life. If at the end of the last century the Church could not remain silent with regard to violation of worker’s rights, all the more reason today for her to speak out when in addition to the social injustices of the past, unfortunately not yet overcome, in various parts of the world even more serious injustices and attacks on the life of the unborn child, the weak, the sick are seen”. This statement is part of conclusions issued at the end of the “First Church and Social Society Seminar on Bio-Ethics, New Technologies and their social impact”, held 3 to 5 October in Cuernavaca. The meeting was organised by the Department for Family, Life and Culture of CELAM Council of Latin American Bishops’ Conferences.
The document mentions frontiers and challenges facing the Church in Latin America. Deriving issues highlighted included: human sexuality and procreation, life before birth, neo eugenics, the frontier of the dominion of pain and death. The subject of human sexuality and procreation includes many pastoral challenges, educational and formative difficulties because “an anti conception and anti birth mentality deriving from a mentality of abortion has produced a plot against life which strikes at the development and growth of our young people, marriage and the family. In addition there exists an ideology of gender and ART Artificial Reproduction Technology which fails to respect the dignity of human reproduction”. Today there is urgent need of “teaching and confirmation of full, unitary anthropology: God and man, Christ and the Church, body and spirit, love and life, male-female communion”. Discussion and relativism with regard to the start of life vita, genetics, contraceptives, sterilisation, abortion, ART, freezing of embryos, extraction of stem cells, threaten the life of the embryo because “very often philosophical, scientific or legislative discussion on the identity and status of the human embryo, tends to deny the reality of individual human life”.
Another threat is the so-called frontier of “neo eugenics” a selection which becomes suppression of human beings considered unable to live a life worth living. On the same line, “reduction of the embryo or foetus similar to Nazi practices. Although the comparison was questioned it must be said that contrary to the principle of equality this practice suppresses human beings considered non productive for society”. Another attack on life comes from the “frontier of dominion of pain and death”: spreading pro-euthanasia movements and pressure for legalisation. Hence the need “in pastoral care to guarantee formation of healthcare workers with regard to euthanasia, therapeutic persistence, the use of proportioned therapies, respect for the will (free and responsible) of the patient with regard to special therapy”.
The Seminar participants denounce international bodies and organisations for working against the good of Latin American nations by “imposing healthcare, educational and trade programmes in the people, bio-technological, environment, investigation and public morals without respecting the interests of the nations giving space instead to outside economic interests”. Lastly they stress urgent need for systematic formation of all pastoral workers on matters connected with human life, the family and bio ethics, to enable them to offer effective witness to the Culture of Life and collaborate in the task of forming the conscience of the people of God. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2005, righe 45, parole 621)