Brasilia, Brazil, Sep 19, 2008 / 21:28 pm
The Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Cardinal Odilo Scherer asked Brazilians this week if the country’s Supreme Court legalizes abortion for babies with anencephaly, “what will be the next group ‘incompatible with life’ to be eliminated?”
“The Supreme Court’s ruling will have consequences, as it will enshrine principles for future judicial cases. And so here’s another question: after babies with anencephaly, what will be the next group of discomforting or unwanted people ‘incompatible with life’ on the list to be eliminated?” the cardinal asked in a recent column.
He warned that during the arguments taking place at the Supreme Court, “the life and death of human beings are at stake.” The cardinal reminded the high court justices that it is their duty to ensure that laws are in accord with the Brazilian constitution, which guarantees “the inviolability of the right to life of all Brazilians and all foreigners who are living in the country.”
Cardinal Scherer acknowledged that a gap exists in Brazilian law that should be corrected by Congress in order to protect the rights of the unborn.