Spanish archbishop denounces “therapeutic” cloning as attack against human dignity

Toledo, Spain, Feb 14, 2005 / 22:00 pm

During a press conference to mark the beginning of the Week of the Family, Archbishop Antonio Cañizares of Toledo, Spain, said “therapeutic cloning” was a euphemism and that its purpose is “to create cloned human beings in order to kill them” in an attack against human life and dignity.

The archbishop made reference to the reform of the country’s assisted reproduction laws which would permit the selection and utilization of health embryos to treat illnesses that are currently incurable.

“With this action they are saying that the ends justify the means, and if we are going to apply this moral criteria here, let’s apply it to everything, and we will see what kind of devastating consequences it will lead us to,” the archbishop maintained.

He pointed this out as one of the principal problems with the European Constitution.  Whatever their vote is on Europe’s Magna Carta, he said, Catholics should make their choice “in conscience,” taking careful note of “each aspect of the document.”

Referring to the Week of the Family, which is being celebrated parishes throughout Toledo, Archbishop Cañizares underscored the need for all men and women of good will to work to “save and promote the truth” about the family and to safeguard family values and obligations.

“In these times in which we live it is urgent that the ideal of the family according to God’s design be presented with authenticity,” he added.

The archbishop acknowledged the many problems that affect families today, such as the denial of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the lack of openness to life, anti-family legislation, widespread divorce, misconception about human sexuality and insufficient government support.