Bishops of Guatemala denounce abortion campaign disguised as “post-abortion care”

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Aug 23, 2007 / 09:05 am

In a document released August 22 which sharply criticizes the anti-life policies of the World Health Organization, the Bishops’ Conference of Guatemala denounced the existence of a veiled pro-abortion campaign that is being portrayed by the Ministry of Health as “post-abortion care.”

“Our Constitution projects human life from the moment of conception,” the bishops note in their document, warning against the danger of the Ministry of Health’s campaign promoting post-abortion care, and including the training of medical and paramedical personnel in the use of suction machines on women who are in a “post-abortion situation.”

“The move from post-abortion care to facilitating an abortion through the use of a suction machine” would be the practical outcome, “even though it would not be an official policy, as it would encourage the use of this method clandestinely in places away from health care facilities that don’t have the minimum standards of hygiene, much less the necessary medical equipment to address complications that may arise,” the bishops said in their statement.

“In addition,” they continued, “trained personnel, if they are unscrupulous, could offer this service especially to teens, which would cause themselves great moral and physical harm.”

The bishops call on Guatemalan authorities “to study in depth the grave consequences that result from the application of the post-abortion care program.  We agree that the best care possible should be given to women who have gone through such a situation, but not by suctioning the uterus in order to implant an intra-uterine device afterwards, as health officials are promoting.”

“We urge therefore that the funds or resources earmarked for these activities be used for the promotion of ethical and moral values among young people,” the bishops continued, “as we are convinced that we must get to the root of the problem inviting young people to live their lives based on principles of chastity and abstinence and not on the promotion of irresponsible sexual conduct that goes hand in hand with the consumption of contraceptives.”

In addition, the bishops said they would insist that the Guatemalan constitution “not be modified in its respect for the fundamental right to life of the unborn.

“We urge authorities not to support anything that could harm, in any way, the physical integrity of Guatemalans, especially those who are the weakest, as is the case of the unborn, who cannot defend themselves at all or avoid the actions that are taken against their lives,” the bishops said in conclusion.