Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hidalgo (Agenzia Fides) - In the present context of the debate in Mexico with regard to penal code reforms to de-penalise abortion up to 14 weeks, the Catholic Bishops of the province of Hidalgo issued an Easter Message in which they reaffirm the value of life and the necessity to defend life. Recalling that Easter is a celebration of life which conquers death the Bishops stress to need to oppose “what the Church and recent Popes call a culture of death. This culture aims to deny innocent persons the right to life proposing arguments which may seem justified but when carefully examined prove to have little foundation " the Bishops write.
With this message the Bishop explain the principles of the Christian faith. Recalling that for some people the Church has no right to speak on similar questions the Bishops write “as apostles of Christ we cannot remain silent, we have the duty to defend the inalienable right to life, abortion does not become moral and good when it is made legal. It is like legalising theft or some other crime. It is not right to take the life of a child to save the life of a mother. Both have the same right to live".
It is a question of harmonising the rights of both mother and unborn child. And this position is not simply religious “it is a natural question regarding rights which must be protected and safeguarded”. To say no to abortion “is not merely a position of faith, or sentiment or compassion, it is a human and anthropological question ". Legislators, the Bishops say, "have a serious moral responsibility because if they approve these initiatives they will be legalising the killing of innocent human persons." They conclude urging Catholics to take up the challenge posed by this “crisis which attacks the family and life. It is our duty to offer men and women of our day the criteria of the Gospel with regard to the individual person, the family and society". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 13/4/2007; righe 28, parole 404)
