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| Rev. Fr. Henry Saindi, ECM Secretary General |
ECM Secretary General Fr. Henry Saindi has said that The Catholic Church in Malawi will continue with stance to uphold the church teaching on abortion and that there are no justifiable Grounds for Abortion.
The ECM stance comes after the pronouncement of findings and recommendations by the Special Law Commission on the Review on Abortion Law. The Special Law Commission on review on Abortion Law, findings and recommendations states that, termination of pregnancy be performed only for certain justifiable instances through an operation.
Recommendations propose that termination of pregnancy be done ‘only’ to save the life of pregnant woman, or if there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or compatibility with life as well as where the pregnancy is as a result of rape, incest or defilement.
Speaking at Mtima Woyera Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe during the celebrations of World Communications Day on 26 July Fr. Saindi said that the issue of legalizing abortion has come in different way now as recommendations by the Special Commission allows termination of pregnancy for ‘only’ justifiable instances. However, he said nothing is “new” because the same issue was addressed in 2013 in the Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter in which they tackled issues concerning Homosexuality and legalizing Abortion.
“Catholic Church already addressed this issue,” said Fr. Saindi adding that “The position of the church has never changed and it will never change.”
He said, “Abortion in these instances cannot be tolerated or permitted by the Catholic Church.” He said and emphasized that “The position of the church is that Abortion is the killing the unborn child because we know that the life of a person begins when a child is conceived.”
“The unborn child has a right to live and must always be protected by the society.” Continued Fr. Saindi
“For example those who have been raped and found to be pregnant, they have to be counseled, they have to be helped to accept their situation and the gift that God has given to them,” he said.
Source: Prince Henderson-ECM Communications Department