In India aborted female foetuses found in Punjab clinic

(11 Aug 06) : Amidst reports on Wednesday of the discovery of 15 female foetuses in a well near a private clinic in north-India state of Punjab, President of the Conference of Catholic bishops’ of India, strongly criticised on Thursday the aberrant practice, still common in many states of India. Slamming the practice of selective abortions in north India, Archbishop Gracias reiterated the church’s resolute commitment to foster respect of life and women.

The arrests of Dr. Pritam Singh and his wife Dr. Amarjit Kaur came after staff members at their Ultrasound Scanning clinic informed police that the couple was performing abortions for couples who learned that their unborn child was female. After the arrests, police recovered the remains of more than 50 unborn female foetuses in a pit dug in the yard behind the clinic. The police operation ended with two arrests and the filing of a case.

Archbishop Gracias said: “The Church has always raised her voice against the grave evil of abortion, but here what is even more contemptible and condemnable is that females are chosen to be killed.” Gracias, who is also Archbishop of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, continued to say that “sadly, in many part of India, women are considered second class citizens. But from my pastoral ministry, I know that women, irrespective of the conditions in which they live and their capacities, possess unique and extraordinary worth and strength.” His words were echoed by Bishop Angelo Gracias, chairman of the family commission of the bishops’ conference: “This news is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg. The diminishing male-female ratio in the country is an indication of the gravity of the problem in a number of states of the Union.”