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Bishops Denounce Influence of International Abortion Lobby in Nicaragua

Warn that they will take to the streets to Prevent Legalization of Abortion

By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

NICARAGUA, September 11, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) -The Catholic bishop's conference of Nicaragua denounced attempts by foreign organizations to promote "therapeutic abortion" in the country on Sunday, and warned that they would take to the streets to protest if it was necessary to prevent the practice from being legalized, something that they have done in the past.

"We know that there are international entities who are interested in legalizing therapeutic abortion in Nicaragua," said Abelardo Mata, Bishop of Esteli at a press conference. "We are making a strong statement to the Legislative Assembly to be conscious of the culture in favor of life that our people have."

Bishop Mata compared abortion in Nicaragua to the devastating effects of hurricane Felix, which recently killed at least one hundred people in Nicaragua, to those who die by abortion in Nicaragua on a daily basis, according to the Nicaraguan newspaper El Nuevo Diario.  Although all direct abortions are illegal in the country, clandestine abortions are sometimes carried out, a fact that is used by pro-abortion forces to promote their cause in the name of regulating the procedure to protect the "health" of the mother.

Dr. Rafael Cabrera, president of the Nicaraguan Association for Life (ANPROVIDA), stated that the representatives who wish to legalize abortion have "deformed consciences", according to El Nuevo Diario.  He also denounced the pro-abortion international organizations fighting for legalization in the country, and said that the pro-abortion Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists had been purchased by the abortion lobby. 

"The influence of money is what prevails among the members of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  This organization breathes with the funds that they receive from international pro-abortion groups," Cabrera said.  Cabrera is an obstetrician and gynecologist, but states that he has never joined the organization for that very reason.

The press conference was held in response to information gained by the bishop's conference that a group of legislators was seeking to eliminate penalties for "therapeutic abortion" from the country's penal code.  The penal code is currently being reviewed and overhauled, although the issue of abortion has been avoided until recently. "Therapeutic abortion" is a slogan used by pro-abortion groups to introduce abortion into pro-life countries for reasons of maternal "health", although in reality almost any abortion can be justified in accordance with it.

Nicaragua has one of the strongest penal codes against abortion in Latin America.  All abortion is punishable by law, although this is not understood as prohibiting medical procedures to save a woman's life that could threaten the life of the fetus.

Related LifeSiteNews Coverage:

Nicaragua: Bishop Condemns "Therapeutic" Abortion
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07090701.html

Sweden Cuts Aid to Countries that Oppose its Pro-Abortion Stance
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07083106.html

Pro-Abortion Group in Nicaragua Caught Aiding Rapist Escape Criminal Investigation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07081602.html

Nicaraguan President Signs into Law Bill Banning All Abortion Despite UN Intimidation
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/nov/06112002.html
 

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