AFRICA/TOGO - Following approval of law on Reproductive Health which envisages abortion in some cases, Catholic bishops reaffirm that every human life must be respected

Thursday, 12 April 2007

Lome (Agenzia Fides)- In a message with regard to a law on Reproductive Health passed in parliament on 22 December 2006, the Catholic Bishops of Togo say “this law goes against our conscience as Christians and deserves reflection. In Togo, which claims to be a state under the rule of law, the members of parliament should have consulted the people with regard to such a sensitive issue. After reflecting at length we wish to share our view with you”.
The Church leaders state: “The law seems to affirm only rights. This gives the impression that its aim is to claim rights which some people deny. To support this theory, the text of the law bans “any interpretation from the point of view of beliefs, customs, religion and family which is contrary to sexual and reproductive rights”. But can rights exist without duties? How does reproductive health law imply duties towards life?”.
This “reproductive health” is about the human genital apparatus not about the human person” the message says. “Does this not diminish the person? Does this not present sex as a value in itself? Does introducing this line of thought not falsify the education of young people?” the Bishops ask and stigmatise “laxity with regard human sexuality and affective life”.
The law allows abortion in certain cases: in the case of danger for the mother’s health; when the child may be born with serious malformation or congenital disease; at the woman’s request in the case of rape or incest. The Bishops object to each point. On point one they call for an objective diagnosis with regard to the endangered health of the mother, examining all possible alternatives. On point two they say a life is taken on the grounds of a probability. On the point regarding rape or incest the Bishops recall Togo’s Constitution article 19 “no one can be accused or condemned for facts committed by another person”. An innocent child cannot be killed for an act committed by adults.
In the final recommendations the Bishops urge Catholics to practice objection of conscience, “to bear witness to faith in the One who is the giver of life”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 12/4/2007 righe 40 parole 463)


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