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Cardinal Denounces Proposal to Legalize Abortion in the Dominican Republic

Says Supporters of the Measure Are Either "Sick", "Hypocritical", or "Comedians"

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, September 10, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com)--The Cardinal Archbishop of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, lashed out last week at politicians and groups agitating to legalize abortion in the country.

When asked  about a recent proposal to legalize abortion for "therapeutic" purposes, he shot back: "No, no abortion, there is nothing more to say."

"No one has the right to kill anyone and some of us are sick, some are hypocrites, some comedians who are protesting against the violence that exists in society and we kill this unfortunate person who has been in his mother's womb for four or five months with the legal authorization of a doctor," he continued. "He is the most defenseless of all, and therefore he must have a massive defense from the society."

He added that even if the whole world approves abortion, "they are all irresponsible", including the United Nations. "Thou shalt not kill is a biblical verse that must be respected," he said.

Cardinal Nicolas De Jesus Lopez Rodriguez has never been hesitant to express his opinions about abortion supporters.  In the past he has referred to them as "charlatans", "impostors", "shameless" and "merchants".

On the same day, the president of the Dominican Republic's Chamber of Deputies (the lower house of their legislature), Julio Cesar Valentin, stated his support for legalizing "therapeutic abortion".  In making his announcement to the press, he used the familiar strategy of using "hard cases" as a wedge for introducing the practice, giving the example of a child who had been impregnated by her grandfather.

In this case, he said, he was a "revolutionary" and "it doesn't matter what impact or damage that my opinion may cause".

"I know the case of a grandfather who raped his granddaughter.  The potential child who will be born, this man will be the father and great-grandfather.  What a disaster, if that is human and that is Christian, alleluia," he said.  He was joined in his statement by the president of Fundación Cruz Jiminian, an organization in the Dominican Republic that aids the poor.

The Dominican Republic's legislature is currently in the beginning stages of overhauling the country's penal code, which currently prohibits all abortions, although life-saving measures that could endanger the life of the fetus are regarded as legal. During the process, proposals have been made to legalize abortions for "therapeutic" purposes, a term that is ostensibly based on the mother's health but in reality can be used to justify practically any abortion.

Two sets of hearings have been held in which the public was invited to give comments to a committee of the Chamber of Deputies, which have provoked national protests.

Related LifeSiteNews coverage:

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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