AMERICA/COSTA RICA - The Bishops on the "morning after pill": enough with policies contrary to the values of the nation

Friday, 7 May 2021 human life human rights coronavirus episcopal conferences

Unhcr

COSTA RICA

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San José (Agenzia Fides) - "In this period in which the health authorities and the whole country are waging a tough battle for life against the pandemic caused by Covid 19, the Costa Rican National Social Service surprises with the announcement of free access to emergency contraception in its health centers. The so-called 'morning after pill' will be available to any woman who request it". The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica thus expresses its dismay in a message entitled "Openness to life", sent to Fides, in which it reiterates that "human life is sacred, only God is the Lord of life, from the beginning to its end: no one, under any circumstances, can claim the right to directly kill an innocent human being". The Bishops are concerned "about the policies against the defense of life, promoted in recent years, and above all by this government, which are now continues to promote the morning-after pill", therefore they urge health workers "to bear witness to the defense of life through conscientious objection". "Do not allow yourself to continue to favor situations contrary to the life of the most vulnerable being, the human embryo". In their message, the Bishops reaffirm their commitment to be promoters of the Gospel of Life, according to the thought of Pope Francis expressed in the exhortation Amoris Laetitia, rejecting the coercive interventions of the State through contraceptives, sterilization, abortion. In conclusion they reiterate: "The decrease in the birth rate worries and puts the future of society at risk. In the future we will be one of the Latin American countries with more elderly than children. The effects of the pandemic are wreaking havoc in the country right now, and the death tolls could be more catastrophic. Let us repeat, once again, our call for openness to life in all its stages, from conception to its natural end. Enough with the policies that go against the values that have characterized our nation". (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 7/5/2021)