Pope commends Nicaragua's move to re-criminalize abortion

(Sept. 24, 2007) Pope Benedict has said that Nicaragua’s recent vote to recriminalize therapeutic abortion is a positive development. The Pope expressed his satisfaction to Nicaragua’s new ambassador to the Holy See, Jose' Quadra Chamorr, who on Monday presented his credentials to the Pope at a formal ceremony at the papal summer residence of Castelgandolfo. The Nicaraguan congress on Sept 13 voted overwhelmingly to renew the penal code's punishment of all abortions, striking down an amendment that would have created an exemption for "therapeutic abortion." The Holy See wishes to commend Nicaragua for its position on social issues, particularly with regard to respect for life, against mounting pressure from national and international quarters, the Pope said. In this regard one should regard as very positive that the national assembly has initiated a move to cancel therapeutic abortion, he said. Also called artificial or induced abortion, therapeutic abortion is the intentional termination of pregnancy as opposed spontaneous abortion. The Catholic Church says therapeutic abortion morally wrong because it is the killing of human life in the mother’s womb. Reiterating the Church’s stand, Pope Benedict called on the state and society to provide more help to pregnant women in difficulties. He said that besides defending life they should also protect the family from various forms of social disintegration. In this regard, the Pope said, Nicaragua bishops and government need to dialogue more in order to build an atmosphere of peace, authentic social justice and reconciliation.