'Bella' star urges Paraguay to stand firm against abortion

Asunción, Paraguay, Mar 24, 2010 / 10:03 am

During a recent visit to Paraguay, Mexican actor Eduardo Verastegui met with members of Parliament and expressed his satisfaction that the country has not passed laws legalizing abortion.

Verastegui visited Paraguay at the invitation of the Thomas More Institute at the Catholic University of Our Lady of the Assumption. The institute had previously awarded the actor the Thomas More Award for his clear stance defending life and family, which has required great courage and strength.

They noted that his courage and dedication to life were clearly expressed in the making of the film “Bella,” which demonstrates the need to defend human life.

During his stay, Verastegui met with Ariel Oviedo, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Paraguay. He also spoke with parliamentarians who expressed their commitment to defending life by passing just laws promoting and defending the dignity of all people.

The Mexican actor and producer also met with the Archbishop of Asuncion, Estaquio Pastor Cuquejo as well as the Apostolic Nuncio in the country, Archbishop Eliseo Antonio Ariotti.  Verastegui told the archbishops that for decades, the Oscars were awarded primarily to great movies with religious and moral values. Now, it is time that Hollywood be restored to Christ, he said.

Verastegui also visited the “Casa Rosa Maria,” a center which ministers to pregnant women by providing them with psychological, medical and spiritual assistance during their pregnancies. He also met with approximately 3000 young people at  the St. Christopher sports center. During the event, Verastegui knelt and asked for forgiveness from all the women present for the times they had been hurt by men and for the times they were treated like objects.

Past recipients of the Thomas More Award include: John Paul II; Chiara Lubich, the Catholic founder of the Focolare Movement; and Fr.  Luigi Giussani, founder of the Communion and Liberation movement.