If it is passed, he noted, “the three exceptions allowing abortion will be outlawed,” as well as the morning-after pill, euthanasia and contraceptive patches.
Bishop Cordoba reminded the Constitutional Court, which legalized abortion in 2006 in cases of rape, fetal deformation and to save the life of the mother, that “73 percent of Colombians do not accept abortion,” according to recent polls. He urged the members of the court to refrain from legislating against human life.
“You must not vote or do things based only on the opinions of the eight or nine of you,” he told them. “Remember you are representing a nation that has a specific culture, beliefs, religion and values, and the majority do not want these laws against life,” he said.
Bishop Cordoba told CNA, “Signatures are currently being collected at all the parishes in Colombia. I think we will have millions of signatures collected at parishes this weekend and on Ash Wednesday.” The petitions will be delivered to lawmakers supporting the amendment in the House and Senate as evidence of the will of the Colombian people, he said.
These lawmakers “themselves asked to speak to the bishops’ conference,” to say they were “Catholics and evangelical Christians committed to Colombians in support of the country’s constitution that defends life and the family,” the bishop said.
“Right now they are working on drafting this legislative act in order to present it in a clear, objective and legal way,” he stated.