Catholic Bishop Calls On Elected Officials to Protect the Unborn
Sorry, but this isn't another 1 of the few American or Canadian Bishops that have had to courage to speak up, this time it is a Croation Bishop.
By Hilary White
ZAGREB, December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Republic of Croatia is facing general elections in the next year, and the leadership of the Catholic Church has issued a warning that elected leaders must defend the right to life.
In a recent sermon at Karlovac in the church of St. Franjo Ksaverska, Bishop Juraj Jezerinac told believers, "Being president requires a commitment to uphold the values of our nation and to rule in favor of transmission of these values."
"He must protect the Christian principles of natural law, the defense and protection of human life from conception until death and the dignity of the couple within the family." Bishop Jezerinac also called for the protection of Sunday as a day of rest.
Bishop Jezerinac is the Military Ordinary, the prelate appointed to oversee the spiritual welfare of Catholics in the armed forces. His sermon is being seen as a criticism of the presidential incumbent, Stjepan Mesic, who cannot stand for a third term under Croatian law.
Croatia is another majority Catholic country (with 88 per cent of the population being Castholic), that is experiencing potentially catastrophic demographic trends with 1.4 children born per woman and a median female age of 42.8 years.
While abortion has been legalized, article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia reads, "Every human being has the right to life. There is no death sentence in the Republic of Croatia." Euthanasia and assisted suicide remain prohibited under the penal code. In 2007, the government released statistics showing that the abortion rate had fallen dramatically since 1989. Pro-life leaders in the country had credited the strong leadership of the Catholic episcopate for the retreat from abortion.
Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991 and elects its president by popular vote every five years. As head of state, the president's role is restricted to commander-of-chief of the military, helping to form foreign and national security policy and representing Croatia abroad.
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Abortion in Croatia is Down 90% Since 1989 Thanks to Strong Catholic Bishops
ZAGREB, December 7, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Republic of Croatia is facing general elections in the next year, and the leadership of the Catholic Church has issued a warning that elected leaders must defend the right to life.
In a recent sermon at Karlovac in the church of St. Franjo Ksaverska, Bishop Juraj Jezerinac told believers, "Being president requires a commitment to uphold the values of our nation and to rule in favor of transmission of these values."
"He must protect the Christian principles of natural law, the defense and protection of human life from conception until death and the dignity of the couple within the family." Bishop Jezerinac also called for the protection of Sunday as a day of rest.
Bishop Jezerinac is the Military Ordinary, the prelate appointed to oversee the spiritual welfare of Catholics in the armed forces. His sermon is being seen as a criticism of the presidential incumbent, Stjepan Mesic, who cannot stand for a third term under Croatian law.Croatia is another majority Catholic country (with 88 per cent of the population being Castholic), that is experiencing potentially catastrophic demographic trends with 1.4 children born per woman and a median female age of 42.8 years.
While abortion has been legalized, article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia reads, "Every human being has the right to life. There is no death sentence in the Republic of Croatia." Euthanasia and assisted suicide remain prohibited under the penal code. In 2007, the government released statistics showing that the abortion rate had fallen dramatically since 1989. Pro-life leaders in the country had credited the strong leadership of the Catholic episcopate for the retreat from abortion.
Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991 and elects its president by popular vote every five years. As head of state, the president's role is restricted to commander-of-chief of the military, helping to form foreign and national security policy and representing Croatia abroad.
Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Abortion in Croatia is Down 90% Since 1989 Thanks to Strong Catholic Bishops
posted by Al @ 6:35 AM
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