Mexican cardinal stands his ground as feminists push for legal abortion

Guadalajara, Mexico, Apr 20, 2009 / 15:36 pm

Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara in Mexico has rejected attempts by feminist organizations to intimidate the Church into ceasing its defense of the unborn's right to life, and has added that he would continue speaking out against abortion.

Feminist organizations, irritated by pro-life victories in several Mexican states, have launched a campaign implying that by speaking out against abortion the bishops of Mexico are “meddling in politics” and violating the country’s constitution.

“The right to life will be defended at all costs and this is not meddling in the politics of the state,” Cardinal Sandoval said in response to feminist accusations that he had become political in order to help fend off attempts to legalize abortion in the state of Jalisco.

“I want to clear this up, because those who are attacking us now are saying that this has happened because of the Church. Of course we Catholics defend life, but the issue of life is not a Church issue, it is a natural law issue,” he said.

The cardinal warned that whether someone is a believer or not, “We all have the right to life.” “Those who are outside the Church also have the right to life; it is a question of natural law, not a Church issue. A Church issue would be if lawmakers mandated attendance at Sunday Mass. That would be a Church issue.”

“There are some parties,” the cardinal explained, “above all on the left, that are committed to policies that go against life.”

“It is unfortunate and very sad. I don’t know why they take this path, but the majority of the people support life,” he said.