VATICAN CITY, March 13, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com)
– While Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was Archbishop of Buenos Aires he
defended the life of the unborn even in cases of rape, in very stark
terms.
In a 2007 speech
given to a gathering of priests and laity on October 2nd, then-Cardinal
Bergoglio issued a defense of life even in cases of rape saying: "we
aren’t in agreement with the death penalty," but "in Argentina we have
the death penalty. A child conceived by the rape of a mentally ill or
retarded woman can be condemned to death."
Pro-life leaders in Argentina rejoiced at Cardinal Bergoglio’s
elevation to the Pontificate. Nicholas Lafferriere head of Argentina’s
Center for Bioethics, Person and Family told LifeSiteNews.com “Those of
us who work for life and family in Argentina have always felt ourselves
to be supported and promoted by Cardinal Bergoglio.”
“On the one hand, he has promoted the dignity of each woman and especially of women during pregnancy,” he added.
In his archdiocese, Cardinal Bergoglio promoted a special blessing for mothers and their unborn children.
Moreover, on behalf of the bishops of Latin America, also in 2007,
Cardinal Bergoglio presented the "Aparecida Document" regarding the
situation of the Church in their countries. The document, approved by
Pope Benedict XVI in July of that year, made a very clear statement
regarding the consequences of supporting abortion, disallowing holy
communion for anyone who facilitates an abortion, including politicians.
The text states in paragraph 436 that "we should commit ourselves to
‘eucharistic coherence’, that is, we should be conscious that people
cannot receive holy communion and at the same time act or speak against
the commandments, in particular when abortion, euthanasia, and other
serious crimes against life and family are facilitated. This
responsibility applies particularly to legislators, governors, and
health professionals."
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The prelate also denounced a "culture of discarding" regarding the
elderly, which treats them as if they are disposable and worthless due
to their advanced age.
"In Argentina there is clandestine euthanasia. Social services pay up
to a certain point; if you pass it, ‘die, you are very old’. Today,
elderly people are discarded when, in reality, they are the seat of
wisdom of the society," he said, and observed that "the right to life
means allowing people to live and not killing, allowing them to grow, to
eat, to be educated, to be healed, and to be permitted to die with
dignity."
