Catholic World News News Feature
Pope decries international campaign for abortion November 19, 2007
Pope Benedict XVI denounced an international effort to promote abortion, during a meeting on November 19 with the Catholic bishops of Kenya.
As he urged the bishops to do everything possible to support Christian families, the Holy Father said that "it is a matter of great concern that the globalized secular culture is exerting an increasing influence on local communities as a result of campaigns by agencies promoting abortion."
Pope Benedict had told the Kenyan bishops-- who were making their ad limina visits-- that they should make the preservation of marriage and family life a top priority of their pastoral work. He observed that many of Africa's ills-- "such as promiscuity, polygamy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, can be directly related to disordered notions of marriage and family life."
In that context the Pope remarked that international pressure is undermining marriage, as well as respect for the sanctity of human life. Speaking specifically about abortion, the Pope said:
This direct destruction of an innocent human life can never be justified, however difficult the circumstances that may lead some to consider taking such a grave step. When you preach the Gospel of Life, remind your people that the right to life of every innocent human being, born or unborn, is absolute and applies equally to all people with no exception whatsoever.
