Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz (Agenzia Fides) - On the occasion of the month of October, during which Argentina celebrates Family Day and Mother’s Day, the Catholic Archbishop José María Arancedo of Santa Fe de la Vera Cruz, addressed a Pastoral Letter to the local Church on the ‘Tragedy of Abortion’. "Since abortion is not only a matter of faith, it is a reality which belongs to the area of human rights which society has to duty to safeguard, we cannot remain silent, we must firmly and clearly reject abortion" the prelate writes.
In the letter the Archbishop says unless life is seen as an objective face, considered and treated as a new life, reality is no longer observed. The new human being has genetic autonomy but not total independence "this fragility does not lessen the greatness of the person and the right to live must be guaranteed” he writes.
In this sense the Archbishop says the right to life depends not on the will or freedom, or state power to law but only on the dignity of the human person. Every human persons has the same inviolable and inalienable rights without exception of time, place.
Referring to the frequently claimed “right to free choice” the Archbishop recalls that freedom has a limit: "a right derived from the other or juridical order, in this case conceived life, becomes a realty which binds and demands". Archbishop José María Arancedo concludes his letter by saying "the choice of abortion ignores the dignity and inviolability of life, which has its foundation in the order of being, which is the foundation of justice". This is a matter which cannot be overlooked, faith and reason complement each other with due respect for the person. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 2/10/2006; righe 28, parole 412)
