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Catholics in Dominican Republic Plan Offensive Against Abortion

260 Catholic churches will hold anti-abortion protests on same day

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, October 3, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Catholics in the Dominican Republic are planning a large-scale offensive against the legalization of abortion in the Caribbean nation.

The campaign will begin this Wednesday at 7 pm, with a speech in the capital city of Santo Domingo by the rector of the nation's Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Roberto Reyna, who was almost aborted on the advice of his mother's doctor.  The event will also include speeches by several congressmen who likewise escaped the procedure.

Around 260 Catholic churches throughout the island will hold anti-abortion protests on the same day, placing members at intersections during peak traffic hours.

On October 25, Cardinal Archbishop Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez and the other bishops of the capital city of Santo Domingo will concelebrate mass in the nation's congress, while Catholics form a human chain encircling the building.  On the same day, Catholics throughout the island will turn on their headlights during the day to symbolize their rejection of abortion.

The campaign will conclude on October 28th, with a "March for Life" through the capital city of Santo Domingo.  Sculptors, singers, and other artists are expected to contribute pro-life works and performances, which will be displayed in front of the congress.

The events are a response to a proposal under review in the nation's congress to repeal the existing penalties for abortion.  Current legislation in the Dominican Republic applies penalties to all abortions without exception, although the law is not understood as prohibiting lifesaving measures that could threaten the fetus.  Pro-lifers in the country have said that if the measure passes, the Dominican Republic will become "the slaughterhouse of the Caribbean".

"The Church will be out in force against everyone who assaults human life and to achieve this purpose it is prepared to undertake all necessary actions to ensure respect for the inalienable right to life of man and woman," said Bishop Corniel Amaro of the city of Puerto Plato.

Contact Information:

The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the USA
Email:
Tel: 202-332-6280
    Extension 2517: Ambassador Flavio Darío Espinal
    Extension 2503: First Secretary (Political Section) Mr. Edgar Aponte
Fax: 202-265-8057

Mailing Address:
1715 22nd Street, NW
Washington DC 2008

The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Canada
Email: Eduardo J. Tejera, Ambassador:
Phone: 613-569-9893
Fax: 613-569-8673

Mailing Address::
130 Albert Street,
Suite 418
Ottawa, ON K1P 5G4
Canada

Previous LifeSiteNews,com coverage:

Cardinal Denounces Proposal to Legalize Abortion in the Dominican Republic
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/sep/07091002.html

Dominican Republic Protest Against Attempt to Legalize Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082409.html

Dominican Republic Refuses to Legalize Abortion for Rape Victims
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jul/06072704.html

Pope States the Family is one of the "Fundamental Objectives of New Evangelization" (Address to Bishops of the Dominican Republic)
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jul/07070501.html

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