US abortion, Vatican: “Sentence challenges the world, reopen debate”

“The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed position on this issue also challenges the whole world”. This was underlined by the Pontifical Academy for Life chaired by Msgr. Vincenzo Paglia on the sentence of the US Supreme Court which abolished the right to abortion. The Pontifical Academy for Life underlines that “after 50 years, it is important to reopen a non-ideological debate on the place that the protection of life has in a civil society to ask ourselves what kind of coexistence and society we want to build”. Mons. Paglia states in a note: “Faced with Western society which is losing its passion for life, this act is a strong invitation to reflect together on the serious and urgent theme of human generativity and the conditions that make it possible; by choosing life, our responsibility for the future of humanity is at stake “. The Pontifical Academy for Life joins the declaration of the US Bishops on the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States. “The opinion of the Court – observes the Vatican Academy chaired by Mgr. Paglia – shows how the question of abortion continues to arouse heated debate. The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world. It is not right that the problem be dismissed without adequate overall consideration. ” “The protection and defense of human life – the Pontifical Academy still considers – is not a question that can remain confined to the exercise of individual rights, but it is a question of broad social significance. After 50 years, it is important to reopen a debate that is not ideological on the place that the protection of life has in a civil society to ask ourselves what kind of coexistence and society we want to build “. “It is a question of developing political choices that promote conditions of existence favorable to life without falling into a priori ideological positions. This also means guaranteeing adequate sex education, guaranteeing health care accessible to all and preparing legislative measures to protect the family and maternity, overcoming existing inequalities. We need solid assistance to mothers, couples and the unborn child that involves the whole community, favoring the possibility for mothers in difficulty to carry on the pregnancy and to entrust the child to those who can ensure the growth of the child “, concludes the note.