South African bishops criticize ruling allowing abortions for youths

Published: 2004-06-03

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference expressed its strong objection to a court ruling that girls under the age of 18 can legally have abortions without parental consent. The Pretoria High Court May 28 dismissed a challenge by the Christian Lawyers' Association to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. Judge Phineas Mojapelo ruled that the constitution protects a woman's right to determine the fate of her pregnancy, and includes girls under 18. The bishops called the ruling "a direct assault on the value of family as sanctuary of life." The judgment "will lead to the weakening of individual consciences, especially those of young people whose conscience formation is at a critical stage," the bishops' conference said in a May 31 statement released by its spokesman, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .