AMERICA/DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - A message for Mother's Day from the Archbishop of Santo Domingo, reiterating his complete rejection of any attempts to impose a culture of abortion and other forms of death on the country
Santo Domingo (Agenzia Fides) – Cardinal Nicholas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez, Archbishop of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), sent out a message for Mother's Day, which was read at the Masses celebrated in the 250 parishes in the Archdiocese.
In the message, he congratulates all the mothers and offers several reflections on the theme of abortion, which was under debate in the country and which is now classified as a crime in the new Constitution. It has been approved in an initial hearing, but it is feared that in the second hearing it could be repealed. Thus, he reaffirms his "complete and definitive"rejection of all attempts to impose a culture of abortion and other forms of death on the country. The Archbishop of Santo Domingo revealed that other manners against life, which are not natural or accidental death, "are not in line with the desires of our beloved Dominican Republic." "On this day, May 31, 2009, all children in the Dominican Republic rejoice at being able to congratulate our mothers, who have honored their femininity in accepting the marvelous gift of their maternity," the letter says. Likewise, "I am proud to be a son and member of a numerous family and I hold the gift of maternity, from which we have all benefited, in the highest regard."
He also recalled that we can find great women on all levels who are proud of their femininity. "I have known them in the nearly 50 years of my priestly and episcopal ministry. They are women of great intellectual prestige, business women, public and private employees, and selfless stay-at-home mothers." Also, in the rural areas of the Republic, "there are a great many simple but admirable women who have been open to life and have dedicated themselves to raising their sons and daughters at the cost of great sacrifices and renunciations. I can say the same of our neighborhoods...the virtue, capacity to suffer, fidelity to work, love for the family, and piety we find behind the appearance of great material poverty and difficult living conditions," he said.
"The yes that they said to the life that one day took form in their womb is their joy and crown," the text said. In the face of the threats against life and the pressure from those who call for the reform of Article 30, which has been approved in its initial hearing, the Cardinal made an appeal to all mothers, "that they may form a chain of prayer and action, so that our lawmakers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, may maintain their vote for life in the second hearing."
On Tuesday, the "International Scientific Congress on Article 30 of the DR Constitution," will begin. It is an event sponsored by the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo, which will be attended by various specialists from Advanced Medicine Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bioethics, and International and Moral Law.
Among the speakers are: Dr. Mónica López Barahona, Dean of the Department of Sciences and Biohealth at the "Universidad Francisco de Vitoria" (Spain), Puerto Rican specialist in International Law, Dr. Marlene Gillette-Ibern, who has been a member of the Human Life International Delegation in the Conferences of Beijing and Istanbul. Gynecologist Rafael Cabrera Artola, specialist in high-risk pregnancies, will also participate, as well as Adolfo Castañedas, specialist in Moral Theology a the Alfonsiana in Rome and the San Vicente de Paul Seminary in Bounton, Florida.
During the congress, the speakers will address questions like: When does human life begin? Can an embryo be considered a person? Does Article 30 affect scientific development? Is there danger in the use of medical practice, as a result of the approval of Article 30? Does this approval affect some human right? Is there a great quantity of money behind abortion financing? What benefits will there be for the Church if Article 30 is approved? Who would benefit from its veto?
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/6/2009)
