Catholic Church rejects abortion bill
The leadership of the Catholic Church in the country has said abortion constitutes a grave moral disorder because it is a deliberate killing of a human being, and Malawians, who believe life as a gift from God, must, therefore, not engage themselves in the act.
Speaking during the consecration of St Joseph the Worker Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Karonga yesterday, Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) chairperson Bishop Thomas Msusa said no one has the right to take a life.
He was commenting on the Termination of Pregnancy Bill, which seeks to liberalise abortion in the country.
Said Msusa: “Human life is sacred, because from its beginning to the end, no one can, under any circumstances, claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being. Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
“From the first moment of its existence, a human being must be recognised as having rights of a person. Therefore, any direct abortion constitutes a grave moral disorder since it is a deliberate killing of an innocent human being.”
Msusa then called on the Catholic faithful to stand for the unborn, who cannot speak for themselves.
“If we accept that change on the law on abortion then the future of this Cathedral will be bleak. The next generation depends on us taking care of the children and the unborn. Therefore let us stand against those campaigning for this law because our life is gift from God,” added Msusa.
Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who was guest of honour at the event, avoided the matter. He encouraged the Catholic Church to continue working towards satisfying the spiritual needs of the citizenry.
