San Salvador, El Salvador, May 30, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop Fernando Saenz Lacalle of San Salvador exhorted government officials last week to defend life from the moment of conception, calling it their “most important” task, and to make economic development in the country a priority as well.
As the end of President Elias Antonio Saca’s first year in office approaches, the archbishop noted, “It is not my role to make judgments about the government,” but “I would ask that first of all life be defended, which is the most important thing, from the moment of conception.”
Speaking to reporters, Archbishop Lacalle said he hoped other sectors of society would heed his call in addition to government officials and that “party interests” should be set aside in favor of the well being of the country.
He also called for greater efforts to defend the family and provide more assistance.
The creation of jobs and the care for the family “are great challenges,” because they are “fundamental rights, together with education and health care,” he said.