AMERICA/ARGENTINA - When fundamental rights, the right to life are denied, all human rights are hanging by a thread

Monday, 16 March 2020 abortion human rights poverty women pope francis local churches

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Caacupé (Agenzia Fides) - "By taking care of life, we build our neighborhoods", is the title of the statement by the team of priests from the city and suburb areas of the Argentine capital and the province, who present some considerations on a highly topical issue in the country, "the tragedy of abortion" (see Fides, 4/3/2020). The presentation of the text took place in the parish of Virgen de los Milagros in Caacupé, on March 13th. Together with some priests and the parish priest, the auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, Mgr. Gustavo Carrara was also present.
"In times of crisis it is necessary to discern priorities. That is why we support the fight against hunger initiative", they write at the beginning of their document, appreciating "the commitment towards the last and the desire for a more federal country". "This presupposes an attitude of deep listening to the humblest" they continue, stressing that "the legalization of abortion is not a priority for the poorest". At the same time they reiterate that the delicate negotiation of foreign debt, "cannot be done at the cost of creating further social debts". Therefore they point out that "many times the international organizations that lend money" suggest "policies to control population growth. Pope Francis has repeatedly condemned the "waste culture" towards the elderly, immigrants, the disabled, poor and unborn children, which leads "to discard them, to take away their right to exist". Recalling what has already been stated in their previous documents, the priests express appreciation for the life of poor women, who "do not allow themselves to be seduced by individualism and take into account in their decisions the values of the community", "many times they are mothers of their children and that of neighbors". "The testimony of our women shows us that they are bearers, messengers and custodians of the life of their family and that of others, if not the whole community".
"As a Church present in cities and popular neighborhoods, where there are multiple difficulties, we want to renew our commitment to the struggle for the culture of life and human rights" they reiterate, "especially for life threatened in any of its forms". "When fundamental rights, the right to life are denied, all human rights are hanging by a thread. Because every option for human dignity needs solid foundations that go beyond all circumstances, otherwise the option becomes very fragile".
For the humble women of our neighborhoods, "children are the greatest or the only treasure", "abortion is particularly tragic for their sensitivity and generally they experience it as a profound humiliation, as a denial of their most intimate beliefs". "We know that abortion exists and we do not deny reality. However, we believe that the termination of pregnancy is not a way to solve the profound problems that many women suffer ... for women in our neighborhoods, abortion is experienced as an existential, personal and community drama".
Mothers who experience dramatic situations must be accompanied during pregnancy, as many neighbors do and those communities that organize themselves, taking care of them. "The proposal for a dignified life does not end with the birth of a boy or girl. They need the warmth of the family-community, they need to be well fed, they need gardens and schools, they need access to adequate medical care, etc. And if in our country the majority of the poor are children and adolescents, these should be the privileged". "May the Virgin of Luján teach us to take care of the most fragile of our people", they conclude. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 16/3/2020)