Madrid, Spain, Sep 8, 2008 / 16:32 pm
Spanish media reported this week on the comments made by the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Levada, who lamented a new law on abortion that experts say will make the practice more widespread in Spain.
Cardinal Levada made his comments while in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, where he was participating in a theology seminar organized by the Theological Institute. During a meeting with local reporters, he called for cordial and thoughtful dialogue on abortion, with special attention to the history and religious faith of the country.
“I have read the reports on the issue, but the official response should be made by the Spanish bishops. At any rate I should say that the plan saddens me because …the precious dignity of each person that begins at conception … is not at the heart of this plan,” he said.
The cardinal noted that abortion “is not something merely political, but rather it is a religious and cultural issue that touches the roots of the human race.”