Bishop punishes mom for daughter's abortion

[jillio]

RIO DE JANEIRO - A Roman Catholic archbishop says the abortion of twins carried by a 9-year-old girl who allegedly was raped by her stepfather means excommunication for the girl's mother and her doctors.

Despite the nature of the case, the church had to hold its line against abortion, Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho said in an interview aired Thursday by Globo television.

"The law of God is higher than any human laws," he said. "When a human law — that is, a law enacted by human legislators — is against the law of God, that law has no value. The adults who approved, who carried out this abortion have incurred excommunication."

Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao rebuked the archbishop, saying, "I'm shocked by two facts: by what happened to the girl and by the position of the archbishop, who in saying he defends life puts another at risk."

Abortion is generally illegal in Brazil, which is home to more Catholics than any other nation. But the procedure is allowed when the mother's life is in danger, when the fetus has no chance of survival or in rape cases where the woman has not passed her 20th week of pregnancy.

Doctors said the girl was 15 weeks pregnant when the abortion was performed Wednesday in the northeastern city of Recife, where Sobrinho is archbishop. Health officials said the life of the girl — who weighs 80 pounds — was in danger.

The pregnancy was discovered last week when the girl fell ill and her mother took her to a clinic. The child then told officials she had been abused by her stepfather, who is in police custody.

A similar case in southern Brazil surfaced Thursday. Authorities in Rio Grande do Sul state told the O Globo newspaper that an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped by her stepfather is seven months pregnant.

The 51-year-old stepfather has been in jail since January while the girl is in a hospital for high risk pregnancies and apparently will not have an abortion.

Bishop punishes mom for girl's abortion - Americas- msnbc.com

 

[Jiro]

 

[Oceanbreeze]

Frighteningly typical and very sad.

 

[SeanB]

If God's laws are to be obeyed in vain, then why the Hell does the world look the other way and do the opposite anyway? That girl has a right to abort kids conceived in an unhamanly manner. Sorry bishop, let's do away with religion as it only diversifies how one lives causing unecessary conflict!

 

[Reba]

If God's laws are to be obeyed in vain, then why the Hell does the world look the other way and do the opposite anyway? That girl has a right to abort kids conceived in an unhamanly manner. Sorry bishop, let's do away with religion as it only diversifies how one lives causing unecessary conflict!

Sorry, can't discuss religion at AD.

 

[SeanB]

Sorry, can't discuss religion at AD.

If thats the case, then the mere posting of the bishop of this article violates that rule as well.

 

[Buffalo]

I don't see anything about the stepfather being excommunicated.

 

[jillio]

If God's laws are to be obeyed in vain, then why the Hell does the world look the other way and do the opposite anyway? That girl has a right to abort kids conceived in an unhamanly manner. Sorry bishop, let's do away with religion as it only diversifies how one lives causing unecessary conflict!

My question is, wonder what punishment the bishop has in mind for the child raping step father?

 

[jillio]

Sorry, can't discuss religion at AD.

We're not discussing religion, Reba. We are discussing the dichotomous thinking of some right to life factions that would prefer to risk the life of a 9 year old child raped by her step father than allow that child an abortion.

 

[SeanB]

My question is, wonder what punishment the bishop has in mind for the child raping step father?

I respect your post trying to talk in a sense that may be relavent to the article - I think it's also one of the laws punishable within the catholic faith. I don't think excommunication is enough as people today will shrug that off, prosecution seems the only way to go.

 

[jillio]

I respect your post trying to talk in a sense that may be relavent to the article - I think it's also one of the laws punishable within the catholic faith. I don't think excommunication is enough as people today will shrug that off, prosecution seems the only way to go.

I agree that prosecution seems the only way to go, particularly with a man guilty of raping his 9 year old step daughter. I'm certain that he will be prosecuted under civil law. It just surprises me that certain factions would deem the mother worthy of any kind of punsihment for protecting her child's life.

 

[flyingace]

It seems to me that this thread invites criticism of a faith, in the guise of inviting debate about abortion. I don't see any threads critical of right-wing Christian actions. If the article were about a Baptist pastor criticizing a mother for allowing her daughter to have an abortion, would it still be allowed on these boards? Just curious.

 

[SeanB]

I agree that prosecution seems the only way to go, particularly with a man guilty of raping his 9 year old step daughter. I'm certain that he will be prosecuted under civil law. It just surprises me that certain factions would deem the mother worthy of any kind of punsihment for protecting her child's life.

Definitely unfair for the mother. Perhaps they are holding accountability of a child's actions too strongly for a parent as they can't always have their kids on a leash and know their actions at all times. I think the bishop should concentrate his efforts to punish the girl's attacker, rape is assault - period.

 

[SeanB]

It seems to me that this thread invites criticism of a faith, in the guise of inviting debate about abortion. I don't see any threads critical of right-wing Christian actions. If the article were about a Baptist pastor criticizing a mother for allowing her daughter to have an abortion, would it still be allowed on these boards? Just curious.

Surprisingly, requests for prayer are allowed on this site, but once an opposing viewpoint is brought up, the no religious posts reminder springs up - Ironic!

 

[Reba]

If thats the case, then the mere posting of the bishop of this article violates that rule as well.

You could have a point there.

 

[SeanB]

You could have a point there.

Either way, I respect Jillio and try hard to stick to the point.

 

[jillio]

It seems to me that this thread invites criticism of a faith, in the guise of inviting debate about abortion. I don't see any threads critical of right-wing Christian actions. If the article were about a Baptist pastor criticizing a mother for allowing her daughter to have an abortion, would it still be allowed on these boards? Just curious.

Well, first of all, the action of this bishop is about as right wing as one can get. And had I run across an article about a Baptist such as you describe, I would have posted it, as well. The intent is not to discuss religious doctrine, but of the contradictory nature of the right to life stance in real life situations. It would seem that the right to lifers attempt to portray what is intended as a discussion of contradictions in philosophy as a "religious discussion" only to attempt to have the thread closed and avoid having to look at the real issue.

 

[jillio]

Either way, I respect Jillio and try hard to stick to the point.

And I thank you,SOB.

 

[jillio]

Surprisingly, requests for prayer are allowed on this site, but once an opposing viewpoint is brought up, the no religious posts reminder springs up - Ironic!

Exactly. It is simply an attempt to fulfill an ulterior agenda. If they were truly concerned about "no religious posts" they would object to prayer requests, as well. Just another example of the contradictions that abound.

 

[Reba]

We're not discussing religion, Reba. We are discussing the dichotomous thinking of some right to life factions that would prefer to risk the life of a 9 year old child raped by her step father than allow that child an abortion.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! You got the word of the day again!