OWERRI—Catholic Bishops in Imo State have called on Governor
Rochas Okorocha and members of the State House of Assembly to remove all
anti-life sections in state’s Abortion Law number 12 of 2012, which harbour
liberalist-abortion provisions.
However, as the Catholic bishops kick against the law, some
pro-abortion women and groups described those opposing the law as “ignorant and
wicked people.”
Rising from a meeting in Owerri, the Bishops’ call was contained
in a communique signed by the Archbishop of Owerri and the Bishop of Orlu, Dr.
Anthony J. V. Obinna and Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma respectively as the women took
their protest to the State House of Assembly.
The group, known as Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against
Women, ACOVAW, not only gave their support to the law but also described it as
“a wonderful and proactive piece of legislation that should be applauded rather
than subjected to all sorts of misinterpretations and misrepresentations.”
The group’s leaders included President of International
Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Hauwa Evelin Shekarau and Chairperson,
National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, Mrs. Lois Osueke.
The bishops argued that any law which failed to respect the
right to life and human dignity was automatically null and void as they
contradicted natural and divine laws.
“A law to prohibit violence against women, legitimate as it is
in principle must, with all the more reason, prohibit violence against helpless
unborn children from conception to natural death without exception. Thou shall
not kill,” the Bishops stated.
It was also the considered opinion of the bishops that “we must
not enthrone the culture of death through the legalization of abortion, with
it’s consequent sexual permissiveness of all, which will ravage our society
morally and spiritually as it has done in Europe, America and elsewhere.”
The bishops argued that the right to life and human dignity
belonged to human nature and was inherent in every person by the creative act
of God.
“These rights do not depend on individuals, parents, church,
society or state. They are guaranteed by natural laws, divine commandments and
affirmed in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the bishops
said.
They promised to continue working with God’s faithful people in
Imo State, for the protection of the fundamental rights of all, including those
of women and the unborn child.
“We will continue to engage Imo State government and Imo State
House of Assembly on ways and means to provide for laws that will strengthen
the family and protect the human rights of all Imo citizens,” the Bishops
stated.
Vanguard
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