View video of Pope Benedict speaking here: Good News Source
April/07/2008
Speaking to attendees of a conference on divorce and abortion, Benedict XVI said that the Church's judgment against divorce and abortion is clear, as is its desire to help people involved in them to heal their interior wounds. In the meeting held at the Pontifical Lateran University, the Pope noted that divorce and abortion are chosen in difficult and dramatic situations, often lead to trauma and are the source of profound suffering. They always leave permanent scars on those involved in them, and can also harm innocent victims. For example, an unborn child is hurt by a break in its family. The Holy Father strongly encouraged all women not to abort and asked pastoral workers to help alleviate the pain suffered by children whose parents have divorced. The Church must be merciful to all, the Pope said, and things that appear to be prohibitions must be seen as affirmations of life and respect for the dignity of the human person.
