Jessica Rogers
March 8, 2009
11:38 pm
On Saturday, a Vatican cleric defended the excommunication of the mother and doctors of a nine year old girl who had had an abortion after being raped by her step-father. She had been four months pregnant with twins. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re stated that the twins were two innocent persons who deserved to live. The regional archbishop excommunicated the mother and the doctors for allowing the abortion to take place. This has caused a huge debate in Brazil for while abortions there are illegal, exceptions are made in cases of rape or if the pregnancy were to cause health issues for the mother. One of the doctors told Gobo television that he would continue going to mass, despite the bishop's wishes.
I think that the excommunication of a mother and doctors of a nine year old girl who was raped is absolutely ridiculous. I think the fact that the Vatican backs up this excommunication is even more ridiculous. No matter what your religion, a nine year old girl being pregnant with twins after being raped by someone should never be acceptable. I believe that people can believe what they wish about abortion whether they be pro-choice or pro-life, for it is all up to the individual in my eyes. But think about the little girl. Number one, she was raped and that alone will have life long consequences. And number two she got pregnant and was only 80 pounds. There is no way that she would be able to survive the entire pregnancy. And even if she did what sort of life would that mean for her and her twins, who would more than likely be fatally underdeveloped? Especially when there are laws that give exceptions in the case of rape and possible health issues. I do not understand how this could not be considered an exception to the rule.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/08/world/europe/08vatican.html?_r=1
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