Brasilia, Brazil, Oct 18, 2010 / 12:04 pm
Bishop Cristiano Krapf of Jaquie, Brazil stated last week that the Catholic Church will always defend human life against abortion, regardless of whether or not politicians support legalizing the procedure.
Bishop Krapf's remarks came in light of the upcoming presidential runoff elections in Brazil. “The controversy surrounding the proposal to legalize abortion amid the presidential runoff elections has led candidates to say they are against abortion and support the protection of life by the state,” he said in an Oct. 12 article.
The runoff elections will take place Oct. 31.
“The Church must continue preaching in support of life,” the bishop said, noting that she must do so “very carefully in order to avoid becoming involved in the political struggle for power.”
“A country needs laws in order to protect the rights of the weakest,” Bishop Krapf said, explaining that the first among these rights is “the right to life.” He added that the “weakest of all human beings is the unborn.”
Bishop Krapf said the controversy over abortion in the country has allowed voters to have a better idea of the candidates’ positions on the issue. It has shown that “the Brazilian people want a government that protects the right to life of every person from the moment of conception,” he continued.
The bishop’s article came as the frontrunner in the elections, Workers' Party candidate Dilma Rousseff, saw her support erode over statements made indicating support for the legalization of abortion.