Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Caceres (Fides Service) - “Women and Abortion” is the theme of an international Conference March 8 - 10 in Caceres, organised jointly by the Family Forum and the University of Estremadura. Expert speakers include Benigno Blanco, vice president of the Spanish Family Forum; José Gabaldón López, president of Spanish Family Forum and former vice president of the Spanish Constitutional Court, Aquilino Polaino Lorente, university professor of psychopathology.
The aim of the Conference is an interdisciplinary study of induced abortion in Spain, from de-penalisation (Lei Organic 9/1985) until the present day; to identify ways to increase awareness, to support organisations which promote respect for life and assist pregnant mothers in difficulty in pregnancy and afterwards; denounce and publicise the various forms of abortion in Spain; assist mothers and fathers with psychic, psychological, social and spiritual post abortion trauma; support and publicise initiatives to promote respect for life; issue conclusions and resolutions.
Themes for reflection include: "Philosophical, ethic and anthropological considerations on abortion ", "The value of life", "abortion and religions", “the psychic consequences of abortion on the mother", " post-abortion Syndrome ", "Women after Abortion”, “the medical reality of induced abortion", "Abortion methods", "How the Spanish media treats Abortion", "Abortion: Juridical Considerations", "Abortion: socio-political Consequences", "Reasons for affirming the value of life”.
The organisers say that 97 per cent of abortions in Spain are performed on the grounds that "the mother’s psychological health is in danger". The Forum noted a 73% increase in abortions in the last decade with a record number of 84,985 registered in 2004. Besides lectures there will also be the presentation of a cycle of films Women and Motherhood, books and other information. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/3/2007; righe 28, parole 355)
