.- In an open and direct condemnation of abortion and euthanasia, the bishops of Brazil, gathered for their annual assembly in the city of Itaici, have approved a statement in defense of human life in all of its stages, from conception to natural death. In their soon-to-be released statement, the bishops will call on Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to reject any law that attacks the right to life, such as a law in favor of any type of abortion.
In a letter sent by President Lula to the Bishops’ Conference of Brazil and read on the opening day of their assembly, the Brazilian president noted his “fidelity to the values of the Gospel and to the faith I received from his mother,” in an effort to ensure the bishops that although the government has promoted debate on certain issues of life, he would not sign any bill that constitutes an attack on human life.
Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, Archbishop of Salvador and President of the Conference, has requested to meet with President Lula next week in order to convey to him the conclusions reached by the bishops at their gathering and to reaffirm the Church’s position regarding Brazil’s political crisis and other problems, such as disarmament and abortion.
