Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 29, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Bishops Conference of Brazil has sent a message to the Brazilian Supreme Court reminding the justices that babies suffering from anacephaly do not lose their dignity as human beings and should not be aborted.
In an effort to prevent the Supreme Court from "usurping a function which belongs exclusively to Congress" by legalizing abortion in cases of anacephaly, the bishops recalled that authorities should seek to protect human life from the moment of conception, a duty not based on one's religious convictions.
The bishops called on the justices to discuss the beginnings of life, its destiny and legitimate human power over the life of another, keeping in mind "respect for the human race, not according to a specific creed or religious conviction. This is a decision regarding the humanity of the anacephaly fetus and the meaning of that humanity."
Therefore the bishops sent more than 20 questions for the justices to consider as they ponder their decision, including: