Miami, Fla., Sep 12, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Human Life International sent congratulations last week to the Portuguese pro-life group “Maternity and Life” for its intense efforts to prevent the Dutch abortion ship operated by “Women on Waves” from coming to Portugal, and for launching a lawsuit against one of the feminist organization’s leaders.
HLI’s president Father Thomas Euteneuer congratulated Maternity and Life and its director, Francisco Jose Coelho da Rocha, for working for the unborn and supporting the Portuguese government in its “rejection of the abortion extremists who entered their territorial waters.”
The abortion ship operated by Women on Waves was not able to dock in Portugal and pick up women who were to be later provided abortions in international waters because the Portuguese government refused to allow the ship entry. Abortion is a crime in Portugal.
“Those who abuse unborn children have no respect for human life,” said Father Euteneuer, referring to Women on Waves founder, Rebecca Gomperts, who appeared on television “teaching” women who to take drugs similar to RU-486 in order induce abortion at home.
Maternity and Life presented a lawsuit against Gomperts for inciting illegal abortion, saying the consuming of the drugs is very dangerous for the life of the mother and her child, in cases where the child survives the attempted abortion.
While the abortion ship was anchored off the coast of Portugal, hundreds of volunteers protested holding signs that read, “Those who love do not kill.”
“We especially salute Dr. Paulo Portas, Portugal’s Defense Minister, for his rapid deployment of the Portuguese navy, which prevented the violation of its national sovereignty,” said Father Euteneur.