The House of Representatives of the Dominican Republic has awarded Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez Rodriguez of Santo Domingo for his contributions to society.  In his remarks expressing gratitude for the honor, the cardinal called for laws that always defend human life.
 
Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez stressed the need to give priority to laws that benefit the citizenry and that defend human life, and he called on lawmakers to serious reflect on what the country really needs before making decisions.
 
The cardinal acknowledged that such efforts are not easy, because “there are opposing interests, economic interests that also carry much weight in society,” and he warned of currents in the world that are offered as better solutions.
 
Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez exhorted lawmakers to “think of respect for human life, respect for the dignity of persons, of the meaning of well-being, especially for those most in need,” underscoring that this should be “the first intention of any lawmaker who claims to be Christian.”