NAIROBI, May 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In anticipation of the first elections to be held since implementation of the country’s new constitution, which opens a loophole for abortion on demand, the Catholic bishops of Kenya have issued a strong appeal to voters “to vote for persons who respect life and are willing to stand and be counted when it comes to the protection of the unborn babies.”
Kenyans will vote on March 4, 2013, in the first general elections since the 2010 approval of constitutional amendments that permit abortion if the “health of the mother is in danger.” The old constitution forbade abortion except to save the life of the mother.
The new constitution also permits abortion if “any other written law” permits it, opening the door to further legislative erosion of the prohibition of abortion.
“The Catholic Church in Kenya continues to raise her concern on the provisions of Article 26(4) of the Constitution and its provision for abortion,” the Kenyan bishops wrote in a communiqué released on May 2 in conjunction with a more detailed Pastoral Letter, titled, “Kenya’s Commitment to Peaceful General Elections in the Light of Justice, Forgiveness, Healing, Reconciliation and Peace.”
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The Pastoral Letter deals with the aftermath of the bloody violence that followed the 2008 elections where approximately 1300 people were killed and 350,000 displaced in two months of fighting.
“We reiterate that life begins at conception and ends with natural death. Any provision for abortion in any legal instrument is greatly considered as both a structural move to disrespect the dignity of the unborn and physical violence by those performing abortion,” the bishops’ communiqué states.
“If life is not respected and the unborn are denied their right to life, then for whom are we preparing this beautiful Nation? Respect human life, even that of the unborn babies and God will bless you.”
The bishops also denounced violence against women and attempts to legalize prostitution.
“We as Bishops also condemn any form of violence against women, against the human person, and his or her property and against the environment. We should remember that we have been placed by God as stewards of creation,” the bishop wrote, and stated further that, “We wish to condemn in the strongest possible terms any attempts to legalize prostitution in this country.”
Encouraging women in the sacred role of motherhood, the communiqué appealed to mothers to “never allow any force to influence you to terminate human life.”
“Dear mothers and women,” the bishops concluded, “you have the God given privilege and indeed a Divine right to be mothers and to see your children grow in joy and happiness. In the spirit of motherhood, never allow any force to influence you to terminate human life which can only come into being because of God and your care.”