Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Oct 29, 2007 / 08:34 am
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, has proposed legalizing abortion as means for reducing the number of criminals in the country.
Cabral caused a firestorm when he told the G1 news website, “It is an issue that unfortunately is not discussed because of a lack of courage. The issue of the termination of pregnancies has everything to do with public violence,” he said.
He argued that the prohibition against abortion directly causes more violence because those with higher incomes have fewer children, while the poor have more children.
“All you have to do is compare the number of children per mother in Lago, Tijuca, Meier and Copacabana (middle and upper class neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro), where incomes are similar to those in Sweden, with that of Rocinha (the largest poor area of the city), where incomes are at the same levels as Zambia and Gabon. This is a factory for producing marginalized people,” Cabral said.
“To not offer something in the public system for these (poor) girls to terminate their pregnancies is crazy,” Cabral stated, adding that although he is Catholic, he considers it “backward” that abortion is not legal in Brazil.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA