Ecuador’s president threatens to resign if abortion bill passes
October 15, 2013
Describing himself as a “leftist, humanist, and Catholic,” President Rafael Correa of Ecuador threatened to resign if the nation’s legislature legalizes abortion.
“They can do whatever they want,” said President Correa, according to a BBC report. “I will never approve the decriminalization of abortion.”
“It has cost me more, the betrayals of my own supposed friends, than the acts of my enemies,” the socialist leader added. “If these acts of betrayal and disloyalty go on, I will tender my resignation.”
Archbishop Antonio Arregui Yarza of Guayaquil, the president of the nation’s episcopal conference, said he was “impressed by the courage, the quality with which the president spoke,” the Fides news agency reported.
“We believe that human life is sacred and cannot be eliminated,” the prelate added.
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Further information:
- Ecuador abortion: President Correa threatens to resign (BBC)
- Legalization of abortion, the President threatens to resign: the Church praises him (Fides)
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Oct. 16, 2013 8:12 PM ET USA
That a president could resign to preserve his own integrity is merely personal. It avoids how he might contribute to the common good of his country. The third servant in the Parable of the Talents certainly preserved his integrity by not losing his master's money, but that was not good enough for his master. Here in the US, our president has no moral problem with refusing to enforce laws with which he disagrees. Perhaps President Correa should consider a similar "ongoing witness of refusal."
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Posted by: WBSM -
Oct. 15, 2013 6:36 PM ET USA
Quitting might not serve the country (not quitting might not either), but may allow the president to preserve his integrity. He too must follow his conscience, and I would be certainly glad to think that at least one head of government has something to follow.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Oct. 15, 2013 8:53 AM ET USA
I'm glad he's making his position known, but concerned that so many modern people think that quitting a position of power is a meaningful way of fighting evil. The next president will likely approve the measure with no problem. How does quitting serve his country?
