AFRICA/ IVORY COAST - Depenalization of abortion: moral and political regression

Monday, 9 July 2018 human life local churches human rights abortion

Unicef

COTE D'IVOIRE

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Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "If the Ivorian Bishops have already energetically raised their voice to say No to the bill on reproductive health that has the fundamental objective of decriminalizing abortion and medically assisted procreation, it should be emphasized how serious it is to see our African Heads of State, in the name of a certain globalization, become more and more protagonists of a culture of death that multinationals and international lobbies want to impose on us". The cry of the complaint sent to Agenzia Fides, on the proposal to decriminalize abortion in the Ivory Coast, is by Fr. Donald Zagore, Ivorian theologian of the Society of African Missions. "It is really sad for Africa. Famine, droughts, epidemics, riots, fratricidal wars, terrorism, have not weakened our continent enough? Political leaders, who should work for the welfare of all, are instead amplifying the culture of death through the adoption of laws that favor a crime like abortion. Legitimating abortion means legalizing a crime", insists Fr. Zagore.
"For the Ivory Coast, this bill represents a moral and political regression", highlights the missionary. "Every child in African cultures is a precious gift from God. He/she is the bearer of hope for a better future. This is why, despite the poverty of families, he never refuses to welcome a child, even if he is the fifteenth or twentieth".
It is urgent to appeal to parental responsibility because of the increasingly difficult conditions of life in Africa: "The destruction of life, especially of defenseless beings, cannot be legalized by the institutions of the State. Article 366 of the Ivorian Code of Criminal Law provides for the defense of life, with a term of imprisonment from 1 to 5 years for those who practice abortion plus a fine of 150 thousand FCFA (€ 230) to 1,500,000 FCFA (€ 2300) ). The principle of defense and conservation of life is not an optional factor. It must remain essentially the ultimate goal of every social and political action. Faced with the culture of death, supported by our political leaders, we will not be silent, because life deserves to be lived and for this we will work to ensure that death does not have the last word", concludes Fr. Zagore. (DZ/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 9/7/2018)