According to some press sources, the Director of the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Nafis Sadik, expressed the opinion,
during the presentation of the 1999 World Population Report in London, on Sept.
22, that the Holy See was no longer opposed to the "family planning" techniques
and politics propagated by this U.N. agency.
Regarding this, I would like to confirm that the Holy See has not, in fact,
changed its well-known position and, at the same time, recall several principles
which have always been upheld by the Holy See's Delegations at several
international Conferences and meetings:
Procreation has never been defended at all costs. Respect for the sacred
meaning of the transmission of human life has moved the Holy See to point out,
above all, the responsibility that should characterize parents' decision to have
or not to have a child, in any given moment.
This responsibility implies not only their own personal fulfillment, but also
their responsibility before God, before the new life that comes into the world,
existing children and society, according to a just hierarchy of moral values.
Regarding the words "contraception", "family planning", "reproductive
rights", "female controlled methods", "the widest possible range of family
planning services", "new options", "underutilized methods" and any other
expression referring to family planning services and fertility control, the Holy
See's satisfaction over the consensus achieved in international documents that
affect the regulation of fertility must not be interpreted as a change in its
well-known position regarding the family planning services that do not respect
the spouses' liberty, human dignity or the rights of those affected.
Regarding abortion and access to abortion, the Holy See affirms that human
life begins at the moment of conception and that this should be defended and
protected. The Holy See can never excuse abortion and policies that favor
abortion, which it considers a crime. The Holy See affirms that the right of
conscientious objection on behalf of health care providers in these matters is
guaranteed, among others, by Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights.
During recent meetings of the Commission for the Status of Women on occasion
and preparation of the Special Session of the U.N. General Assembly five years
after the Cairo Conference, the Holy See opposed the introduction of promoting
the so-called "emergency contraception" because it considers this practice as
abortive.
Sexuality is recognized as an important aspect of personal identity. It is
not difficult to understand that sexuality finds its own profound expression in
a context of reciprocity. Nevertheless, some programs promoted by the United
Nations are inspired by an understanding of sexuality that does not give the
necessary consideration to the dimension of reciprocity which is the expression
of mutual love and of a decision made in the context of a stable conjugal
relationship, while conveying, on the contrary, an individualistic and
permissive attitude toward sexual behavior that corrodes a proper understanding
of human dignity and the moral responsibility of every person. A permissive
attitude regarding sexuality ruins the family, weakens the responsibility of
parents, goes against the well-being of the children and has a highly
unstabilizing effect on society in general.
The Catholic Church is concerned for the life and health of every human
being, convinced of the sacredness of human life endowed with innate dignities
and rights. Therefore, she joins forces with all those who battle against the
true causes of death, such as poverty and ignorance.
The Church contributes, within the limits of its own nature and
possibilities, to education and health services worldwide, particularly where,
without her presence, there would be no services available to the people. Today,
the Church provides education to 21.3 million women and young girls in
elementary, secondary and high schools. The Church also sustains 54,742
"day-care centers." In the area of health care, the Church operates or supports
100,231 institutions, including hospitals, "crisis pregnancy centers", centers
for abused women, leprosariums, clinics for the elderly and centers for the
handicapped.
Teachings of the
Magisterium on Abortion
