Peruvian cardinal calls on presidential candidates to embrace pro-life policies

Lima, Peru, Jan 8, 2006 / 22:00 pm

The Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, is calling on that country’s presidential candidates to incorporate the Church’s social teachings into their policy proposals, saying its application would bring “much good to society and would make people more aware” of the different problems facing Peru.

In a message addressing the upcoming elections on April 9, the cardinal noted that the Church has the right “to apply the Gospel in the complex world of production, work, business, finances, commerce, law and culture, in which man is immersed on a daily basis.”

Cardinal Cipriani added that the defense of the culture of life is the key to protecting the future of the country.  “It is urgent that we stop the abortion tendency that has invaded the legislative environment; the constant attempt to dissolve marriage with permissive laws that facilitate divorce; the trampling of male and female sexual identity through so-called gender ideology,” he stated.

“This danger can be resolved,” he continued, “if serious educational reform is undertaken aimed at recognizing the transcendence and the interior spiritual value of the human person, thus avoiding reducing man’s dignity to mere material wellbeing.”

In his letter the cardinal also recalled that “the principal mission of the State is to keep the country in order, in conditions ideal for private initiative and creativity,” and he emphasized that “therefore it is important that the private sector understands that it must assume its grave responsibility of sharing in the State’s direct responsibility of taking care of basic services.”