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Mexico City Government Votes Tomorrow on Legalizing Abortion – Pope Sends Letter

By Gudrun Schultz

MEXICO CITY, April 23, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI sent a letter Friday supporting Catholics in Mexico City in their battle to prevent the passage of abortion legislation in the nation’s capital.

In his letter to Mexican bishops, the Holy Father said Christ’s victory over death was a reason to defend everyone’s right to life “from the first moment of their conception.”

Lawmakers in Mexico City will vote tomorrow on a bill to permit abortion on demand during the first trimester of pregnancy. The volatile issue has led to an outcry from the Catholic population, with escalating debate and demonstrations in a campaign opposing the radical change in a country where abortion remains largely illegal.

The measure is expected to pass, with the city council dominated by the liberal Democratic Revolution Party. Pro-life groups fear the introduction of open abortion laws in Mexico City will trigger the rapid spread of abortion legislation throughout the rest of the country, as well as impacting the policies of other nations in the region.

More than 1,000 Catholics demonstrated Sunday in a march through the streets of the city, with families dressed in white carrying pro-life signs and images of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The march ended at the Mexico City cathedral, with participants packing the church for Mass, Reuters reported April 22.

The president of Mexico’s leading pro-life group, Provida, said he believes the battle to defend the unborn is facing defeat in tomorrow’s vote, in an interview with Copley News Service.

“We are going to permit a crime that ends the life of human beings who cannot defend themselves, who cannot be heard,” Provida said. “Yesterday, it was gay civil unions. Today, it is abortions. Tomorrow, they are going to legalize euthanasia. This is a nightmare for our country.”

The bishops have warned Catholic legislators they face excommunication if they vote for the legislation.

“Abortion is a sin,” said Father José de Jesús Aguilar, spokesman for the Catholic archdiocese in Mexico City. “If there were a group of legislators that was in favor of abortion, that advised in favor or legislated in favor of abortion, they would be excommunicated.”

See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:

Mexican Bishop: “If You Vote to Legalize Abortion – You Excommunicate Yourself from the Church”
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/apr/07040502.html

Mexico City: Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox Church Leaders Unite in Fight Against Abortion Law
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07032202.html

Mexico City Set to Vote to Allow Abortion Despite Pro-Life Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/mar/07031507.html

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