Leading South American prelates have rejected proposals by the UN Human Rights Commission that countries allow abortion in cases where mothers were infected with Zika virus.
The Zika virus has been linked by the Brazilian government to a surge in microcephaly cases, but Brasilia’s Archbishop Sergio da Rocha has denied suggestions that abortion is an answer to the virus. “We need to value life in any situation or condition,” he said, continuing, “Less quality of life does not mean less right to live or less human dignity.”
Other countries seriously affected by Zika have claimed no links between the virus and microcephaly. Thirteen Salvadoran women infected with the virus gave birth to perfectly healthy babies, according to El Salvador’s Ministry of Health, and not one case of microcephaly has been reported in Columbia, where 3,177 pregnant women had the virus.
In Peru, Lima’s Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani expressed horror at the haste with which the UN recommendation was issued. “It’s amazing how fast they have acted, not decreeing a campaign, economic aid or an investigation,” he said, lamenting how “today we are surrounded by Herods, but Herods with neckties, public posts and budgets”.