Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops of Ecuador strongly criticise Congress for approving the addition of new articles to the Health Code giving government measures priority over the rights of parents to educate their children according to their convictions, and over the consciences of medical staff obliged to perform abortions in state and private clinics.
In the statement dated 10 October the Bishops say it is impossible to negotiate with people who promote abortion, whatever the case “the killing of an innocent life. They call attention to article 30 which says “state and private health services are obliged to interrupt pregnancy in certain cases". They also denounce articles 32 and 59b for imposing compulsory prescription of medicines for “emergency contraception” a measure which diffuses not medicine but a “brutal contraceptive”.
Another controversial point the Bishops indicate in the new Health Code regards sexual education of children with total disregard for parents. "Article 28 affirms that education and health authorities with other competent bodies (not specified), will draft education policies and programmes to be compulsory in schools at the national level". The Bishops say “young people should be educated to love” but these official programmes "are contrary to natural law and God’s law, they promote fornication and sexual promiscuity, and fail to guide young people to love which means reciprocal gift of self and fidelity".
Unable in this situation to "remain silent" the Bishops call "on Catholics and all men and women of good will and good sense” to actively show their dissent to these “new unjust and anti-constitutional laws and to take part in Pro-Life demonstrations planned for the coming days" (see Fides 10/10/2006). The Bishops pray that God may “enlighten consciences so we are not dragged towards the abyss of a society even more just and cruel". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 11/10/2006; righe 27, parole 379)
