Loading
Peruvian lawmakers decry Health Minister’s efforts to legalize abortion

Lima, Peru, Apr 6, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- A group of Peruvian legislators has sent a letter to the country’s Health Minister, Pilar Mazzeti, requesting that she disclose if her department is considering issuing norms that would allow “therapeutic abortion.”

The letter, dated March 30 and signed by six lawmakers, came in response to a report by the Population Research Institute’s director for Latin America, Carlos Polo, about a “supposed ‘National Protocol’ that would allow for ‘therapeutic abortion’ under certain medical circumstances.”

Polo said anti-life and feminist groups in Peru are on the verge of achieving the legalization of abortion through the implementation of a National Protocol that in practice would allow abortion for an unlimited number of cases and is being supported by Peru’s Heath Minister.

Currently abortion is only allowed in Peru in cases of life of the mother or “grave danger” for her well-being.  However, Mazzeti’s interpretation of  “grave danger” would include almost any medical condition, including “psychological harm.”  The Health Minister also seeks to make abortion available in any clinic, and she would deny doctors the right to object to the procedure for reasons of conscience.

In their letter the lawmakers said the “protocol” would be unconstitutional and that its implementation would be an abuse of executive power.  The approval of such policies, they said, falls to the Congress and would require constitutional and legal reforms.



Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com

* The number of messages that can be online is limited. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages

RESOURCES »

Featured Videos

Pope Francis prays over a sick boy in St Peter's Square
Pope Francis prays over a sick boy in St Peter's Square
Denver women's clinic will offer natural, Catholic care
Interview Clips: Barbara Nicolosi speaks to CNA
US Cardinals press conference at North American College
Pope Benedict to retire to monastery inside Vatican City
Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Hundreds convene in Denver to urge respect for life
New Orange bishop encourages Catholic unity in diversity
Chinese pro-life activist calls for reform, international attention
At Lincoln installation, Bishop Conley says holiness is success
Mother Cabrini shrine reopens in Chicago after a decade
Ordination of 33 deacons fills St. Peter's with joy
Cardinal says "Charity is the mother of all the virtues"
Augustine Institute expands evangelization effort with new campus
Bishops recall 'Way of St. James' as chance to trust in God
Los Angeles cathedral's newest chapel houses Guadalupe relic
Lay missionaries to the poor open new Denver headquarters
New Buffalo bishop stresses need for modern-day martyrs
Guadalupe message resounds at Los Angeles' massive Marian festival
Pastors of Aurora churches comfort, encourage parishioners
Visit our YouTube channel »
May
23

Liturgical Calendar

May 23, 2013

Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time

All readings:
Today »
This year »

Catholic Daily

Gospel of the Day

Lc 22,14-20

Gospel
Date
Lc 22,14-20
05/23/13
Mc 9,38-40
05/22/13
Mc 9,30-37
05/21/13

Daily Readings


First Reading:: Sir 5:1-8
Psalm:: Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Gospel:: Mk 9:41-49

Homily of the Day

Lc 22,14-20

Homily
Date
Lc 22,14-20
05/23/13
Mc 9,38-40
05/22/13
Mc 9,30-37
05/21/13

Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com

Ads by AdsLiveMedia.com
     HTML
Text only
Headlines
  

Follow us: