Caracas, Venezuela, Jan 16, 2004 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Archbishop Jorge Urosa Savino of Valencia, Venezuela, is warning that the proposed reform of the country’s penal code which will be brought before the national assembly would open the door to the legalization of abortion, adding that to allow it “would be like giving a green light to murder.”

The Archbishop explained that the lawyer’s guild, the academy of medicine, non-governmental associations and all those who defend life should speak out to prevent the approval such an initiative.

“Apart from the fact that the Constitution does not allow it, there is something fundamental here—life should never be attacked.  We cannot allow abortion to be permitted as if it were just another licit activity,” he said. 

Archbishop Urosa also denounced the depenalization of food theft.  “We are facing a situation here which has been aggravated by misery and poverty, and therefore the problem must be solved at its root, which is economic.  The government needs to implement social programs aimed at helping the poor.”

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