Tuesday August 19, 2008
In the Face of Death Threats, Ecuador's Bishops Unanimously Condemn Pro-Abortion Constitution
Episcopal conference spokesman calls document a "sandwich" laced with "cyanide"
By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman
QUITO, ECUADOR, August 19, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Episcopal Conference of Ecuador has issued a statement, signed by all of the nation's Catholic bishops, ratifying its previous condemnation of Ecuador's new proposed constitution for what the bishops say is its pro-abortion, anti-family language.
Defying heavy pressure from the nation's ruling party and its socialist allies, the bishops state that they have "analyzed the political and social situation that the country is experiencing. We have agreed unanimously to ratify our pronouncement on the 28th of July."
The bishops also state their unequivocal support for Archbishop Antonio Arregui, the president of the Episcopal Conference, declaring that their critique "has been exposed to public opinion in a clear and exact way by our representatives, especially by Monsenor Antonio Arregui."
Archbishop Arregui has received multiple death threats and even had criminal charges filed against him in the weeks following his very public and vociferous condemnations of the newly completed constitution, which was formulated by the socialist Alianza PAIS party headed by President Rafael Correa.
Arregui and the rest of the Catholic bishops are concerned that the new constitution does not explicitly state that the right to life is inviolable from conception, and contains language about "reproductive health", a term often used by international groups to refer to abortion. They also condemn language that grants special rights to homosexuals, and could deny parents basic educational rights. The document, according to the bishops, also gives excessive power to the government.
The bishops also responded to accusations made by Correa and others in his party that the bishops are violating their legal obligation to abstain from partisan politics, enshrined in the country's 1937 agreement ("modus vivendi") with the Vatican.
"We recall that we are making this declaration because 'it is always and everywhere the role of the Church to proclaim moral principles, including those referring to the social order, as well as giving its judgment on any and all matters relating to humanity, to the extent to which they are required by the fundamental rights of the human person or the salvation of souls' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 2032)", the bishops write.
"The 'Modus Vivendi' signed by the Holy See and the Government of Ecuador (February 14, 1937), asks the Ecuadorian Clergy 'to stay out of political parties and political contests' (Art. 4)," the bishops acknowledge. "However, the additional agreement signed the same month emphasizes that 'The Holy See and the Government of Ecuador acknowledge that Article 4 of the said "Modus Vivendi", in no way diminishes the complete and incontestable liberty of the Clergy to preach, expound, and defend Catholic dogmatic and moral doctrine' (Art. 1)."
Commenting on the bishops' unanimous statement, Episcopal Conference representative Archbishop José Mario Ruiz reportedly told the Ecuadorian broadcaster Teleamazonas that "the Constitution is a tasty sandwich, in some respects, but they've added some drops of cyanide."
Several articles of the proposed document, said Mario Ruiz, "are not compatible with the Catholic faith, nor with humanity."
Related Links:
DECLARACIÓN DE LA CONFERENCIA EPISCOPAL ECUATORIANA
(Declaration of the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference, in Spanish)
http://www.iglesiaecuador.org.ec/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=221&Itemid=31
EL PROYECTO CONSTITUCIONAL
(Bishops' Original Statement on the Proposed Constitution, in Spanish)
http://www.iglesiaecuador.org.ec/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=220&Itemid=31
Previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Criminal Charges Filed against Ecuadorian Archbishop for Opposing "Abortion" Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08081205.html
Socialist Forces in Ecuador Desecrate Eucharist in Conflict over new "Abortionist" Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08081105.html
Death Threats Received by Archbishop and Human Life International Leader in Ecuador for Opposing "Abortionist" Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080611.html
Ignoring Threats and Intimidation, Catholic Bishops of Ecuador Denounce Pro-Abortion Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080610.html
New Ecuadorian Constitution Endangered by Pro-Abortion, Anti-Family Language
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071606.html
Ecuador's Proposed Constitution Would "Establish Penalties" for Groups that "Promote Homophobia"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08061903.html
Ecuadorans Battle Over Abortion in their New Constitution
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/aug/07082912.html
Copyright © LifeSiteNews.com. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License. You may republish this article or portions of it without request provided the content is not altered and it is clearly attributed to "LifeSiteNews.com". Any website publishing of complete or large portions of original LifeSiteNews articles MUST additionally include a live link to www.LifeSiteNews.com. The link is not required for excerpts. Republishing of articles on LifeSiteNews.com from other sources as noted is subject to the conditions of those sources.