AMERICA/PARAGUAY - Bishop Valenzuela: "Abortion is a disaster"

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Caacupé (Agenzia Fides) - Legalizing abortion would be "catastrophic" to society and one of the "fashionable" trends that are creating confusion among people. Instead, it is necessary to take care of life. This was stated by Mgr. Ricardo Valenzuela, Bishop of the diocese of Caacupé, speaking in the public debate between opponents and supporters of the legalization of abortion in Paraguay. Abortion is only legal in the nation when the mother's life is at serious risk and during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. In all other cases, illegal abortion is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years. In the note sent to Fides, the Bishop states: "There are cultural currents, such as those that today promote abortion, that come in vogue for a while and then fade over the years.
Legalizing an abortion would be a terrible contradiction, it would make the nation sick and be catastrophic for generations to come". Paraguay has already experienced two great tragedies: a War against the Triple Alliance and the Chaco War. Abortion would be "a new tragedy for the country", he remarked, regretting that some "want to impose it in the public debate".
According to Mgr. Valenzuela, after the population was decimated after the two wars. Now, 150 years later - he underlined - "a group of people are trying to legalize abortion and to kill their children with the voluntary termination of pregnancy".
"Our children will be adults tomorrow and if we do this today, we should analyze what the consequences will be for the future. I hope that these terrible winds do not reach our shores", added Mgr. Valenzuela, referring to the events in Argentina, where the law to legalize abortion was approved in Parliament last night. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 12/12/2020)