Civil disobedience and media campaign urged to stop spread of abortion in Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico, Apr 26, 2007 / 06:08 am

Various civil groups in Mexico have announced they will defer to the official reaction of the Archdiocese of Mexico City, expected to come this Sunday, regarding the legalization of abortion, and they anticipated acts of civil disobedience would take place, as well as a new media campaign in support of life.

According to the newspaper “La Jornada,” Jose Antonio Fernandez of the organization Dignidad Ciudadana, announced that some 40 organizations “will soon begin a radio and television campaign to warn young people about the risks of the practice of abortion, and they will put in motion a support system for women who are in danger of having abortions.”

Fernandez said that Catholic groups like the Knights of Columbus would unite behind the Archdiocese and its position and would support National Action Party (PAN) in its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.

Likewise, pro-life groups said they would intensify efforts to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion and to support laws that prevent employers from firing pregnant women.

The president of the College of Catholic Lawyers, Armando Martinez, told La Jornada that his organization would request the involvement of the Attorney General of Mexico in the legal challenge of the law’s constitutionality.

Jorge Serrano Limon, president of the group Pro-Life, warned of acts of civil disobedience in the Mexican capital.

Official reaction

The Archdiocese of Mexico City’s news office indicated that the archdiocese would not make any public statements about the new law “until the Episcopal Council of the Archdiocese of Mexico has the chance to evaluate the moral consequences of the reforms that have been passed in light of the Gospel and consult with various experts.”  An official statement approved by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera is expected to come this Sunday.

According to “La Jornada,” the National Confraternity of Evangelical Christian Churches said it would respect the decision of the majority in the Mexico City assembly, “whatever it is.”  “Arturo Farela, president of the organization, said Evangelical churches would accept the legalization of abortion, because they respect Mexican law,” the newspaper reported.