Presidente do Chile contra o aborto

MAIS ALTO

O Presidente do Chile, Sebastián Piñera, urge os seus ministros a manterem-se firmes na sua defensa dos valores pro-vida enquanto o congresso da nação enfrenta duas novas propostas de lei para descriminalização da matança de crianças por nascer.

O Governo do Chile produziu na televisão anúncios pro-vida mostrando mães grávidas dizendo, “O meu filho ouve e experimenta o mundo tal como eu. Eu e ele, estamos ligados”

During an ecumenical worship service for Christmas celebrated at the presidential palace, Piñera noted that “for those of us who believe in God, this light is very present. But for all of us, the light of values permits us to illuminate the road.”

“It is good for our government, our ministers and subsecretaries, to always keep in mind the values that inspire our action and which should be that light,” added Piñera, who gave as examples, “the value of life, especially of those who are unborn, the value of freedom in all aspects of the human person, the value of solidarity, the value of justice, the value of respect, care for the environment, and the value of the family, which are some of the values that should guide our action.”

Piñera also called on “all of those who participate in our government, in the executive branch, the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and everywhere, that when we make our decisions that we ensure that they faithfully serve those values, because if they don’t serve them, then they are not correct actions and we have to change course.”

Cardinal Francisco Javier Errázuriz, who was also present at the service, noted that, after a year of natural disasters, including an earthquake, a mine collapse, and prison fire, Chile is now confronting “the new and deadly legal threat to defenseless children who have not yet been born.”

The statements by Piñera and Cardinal Errázuriz appear to be aimed at two new legislative initiatives presented in mid-December by legislators on both sides of the political divide. One proposal would decriminalize abortions when the life of the mother is threatened, or the pregnancy is deemed “inviable.” Another initiative would add rape cases to the previous two.

Abortion is illegal in all circumstances in Chile and carries criminal penalties, although in recent years the Chilean government began the distribution of the “morning after pill,” which not only prevents pregnancy but also can cause abortions if a child is already conceived.

by Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

SANTIAGO, January 4, 2010