Pope Francis 'stunned' by abortion rate in Spain...

Michie · Mar 3, 2014

The spokesman for the Spanish Bishops' Conference said that when a group of bishops from Spain informed Pope Francis of the abortion rate in their country, the Holy Father said he was stunned.

For more than five years, the abortion rate in Spain has topped 110,000 annually.

According to the Cope Radio Network, Father Jose Maria Gil Tamayo revealed the Pope's reaction on his Twitter account Feb. 28 and quoted the Holy Father as saying that in many cases, The god of money is the focus and not the human person.

Whatever doesn't fit into that arrangement is thrown away, and the children that are unwanted are thrown away, Pope Francis reportedly told the bishops.

The group of Spanish bishops making their ad limina visit included Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela of Madrid, along with his auxiliaries, Bishop Fidel Herraez, Bishop Cesar Augusto Franco and Bishop Juan Antonio Martinez Camino. Bishop Joaquin Maria Lopez de Andujar of Getafe and Bishop Juan Antonio Reig Pla were also among the Spanish prelates.

Diocesan bishops make an ad limina visit to the Vatican every five years to report to the Pope on the state of their local churches.

S.ilvio · Mar 3, 2014

He's not alone...

WarriorAngel · Mar 3, 2014

facingeast52 · Mar 3, 2014

Almost too sad for words...

Fantine · Mar 3, 2014

The rate is much higher in the U.S. With our population of 300 million and 1.2 million abortions a year, we have an abortion a year for every 250 people.

With Spain's population of 46 million and 110,000 abortions, their rate is an abortion a year for every 418 people.

So before we start criticizing Spain, maybe we should look at them and see what they're doing to have an abortion rate so much lower than ours.

Could it be universal health care? Could it be a broader social safety net? Could it be more familial support in the workplace, if, like most European countries, paid maternity leave, six week vacations, etc. is the norm.

Yes, Spain could do better. So could we. Unfortunately, the politicians in the U.S. who allege they are pro-life keep proposing things to exacerbate the problem.

facingeast52 · Mar 3, 2014

Fantine said:
The rate is much higher in the U.S. With our population of 300 million and 1.2 million abortions a year, we have an abortion a year for every 250 people.

With Spain's population of 46 million and 110,000 abortions, their rate is an abortion a year for every 418 people.

So before we start criticizing Spain, maybe we should look at them and see what they're doing to have an abortion rate so much lower than ours.

Could it be universal health care? Could it be a broader social safety net? Could it be more familial support in the workplace, if, like most European countries, paid maternity leave, six week vacations, etc. is the norm.

Yes, Spain could do better. So could we. Unfortunately, the politicians in the U.S. who allege they are pro-life keep proposing things to exacerbate the problem.

This is because we look at each other as sex objects instead of with love and respect in this country. The constant noise from the tv's, radios, movies, and even the schools is and has been leading us to loss of respect for marriage and children... Me,, Me,, Me,, is the message....

gurneyhalleck1 · Mar 3, 2014

To think how a once-proud Catholic country could fall into such an abyss of blood. And look at the U.S., how much blood we have on our hands from the deaths of the innocents. This world is sick, lost, and showing no signs of finding its way morally through Christ. Secular humanism is the new idol worshipped in the temples.

Tigg · Mar 3, 2014

Stats of hate.

May God hold those wee ones in His arms and grant them eternal life with Him.

Basil the Great · Mar 3, 2014

Secularism and Modernism have captured the hearts of Europe it seems.

MikeK · Mar 3, 2014

Fantine said:
The rate is much higher in the U.S. With our population of 300 million and 1.2 million abortions a year, we have an abortion a year for every 250 people.

With Spain's population of 46 million and 110,000 abortions, their rate is an abortion a year for every 418 people.

So before we start criticizing Spain, maybe we should look at them and see what they're doing to have an abortion rate so much lower than ours.

This is not surprising. The so-called "Godless" and "socialist" countries in Scandanavia enjoy lower abortion rates than we do too.

Could it be universal health care? Could it be a broader social safety net? Could it be more familial support in the workplace, if, like most European countries, paid maternity leave, six week vacations, etc. is the norm.

There can be little doubt that it is all of those.

Yes, Spain could do better. So could we. Unfortunately, the politicians in the U.S. who allege they are pro-life keep proposing things to exacerbate the problem.

You're right, of course, but you fail to mention that the pro-choice crowd is not any better. Some opt to kill a child before it can have a chance to live, others opt to rob the living child of his or her chance to thrive. Neither position is acceptable and I hope you start spending as much time advocating against legal abortion as you do against other grave injustices.

ebia · Mar 4, 2014

facingeast52 said:
This is because we look at each other as sex objects instead of with love and respect in this country. The constant noise from the tv's, radios, movies, and even the schools is and has been leading us to loss of respect for marriage and children... Me,, Me,, Me,, is the message....

And is that different in Europe?

Fantine · Mar 4, 2014

Well, obviously they live in societies where there are strong social safety nets, labor unions, etc.

The idea that "they are their brothers' keepers" is enshrined into their cultures and their constitutions. And so yes, it probably does have an effect on their personalities and priorities.

Their countries also give a greater percentage of GNP to foreign aid than we do. Their idea of 'foreign aid' is food, debt relief, medicines...ours, alas, seems to be troops...

If the political situation in the Ukraine didn't have the potential to cut off 40% of Europe's oil supply (creating shortages and price spikes throughout the world) do you think Americans would care?

Vendetta · Mar 4, 2014

Fantine said:
Well, obviously they live in societies where there are strong social safety nets, labor unions, etc.

The idea that "they are their brothers' keepers" is enshrined into their cultures and their constitutions. And so yes, it probably does have an effect on their personalities and priorities.

Their countries also give a greater percentage of GNP to foreign aid than we do. Their idea of 'foreign aid' is food, debt relief, medicines...ours, alas, seems to be troops...

If the political situation in the Ukraine didn't have the potential to cut off 40% of Europe's oil supply (creating shortages and price spikes throughout the world) do you think Americans would care?

Citation missing.

ebia · Mar 4, 2014

Vendetta said:
Citation missing.

When did cf become Wikipedia?

Azureknight 773 · Mar 4, 2014

Good Lord have mercy!

Vendetta · Mar 4, 2014

ebia said:
When did cf become Wikipedia?

When the proponent of the statement lacks any cognizable background lending weight to the credibility of the statement. The second paragraph is likely indefensible; the third I just need statistics, but I always thought we gave foreign aid that did not consist chiefly of military presence.

WarriorAngel · Mar 5, 2014

gurneyhalleck1 said:
To think how a once-proud Catholic country could fall into such an abyss of blood. And look at the U.S., how much blood we have on our hands from the deaths of the innocents. This world is sick, lost, and showing no signs of finding its way morally through Christ. Secular humanism is the new idol worshipped in the temples.

Fantine said:
Well, obviously they live in societies where there are strong social safety nets, labor unions, etc.

The idea that "they are their brothers' keepers" is enshrined into their cultures and their constitutions. And so yes, it probably does have an effect on their personalities and priorities.

Their countries also give a greater percentage of GNP to foreign aid than we do. Their idea of 'foreign aid' is food, debt relief, medicines...ours, alas, seems to be troops...

If the political situation in the Ukraine didn't have the potential to cut off 40% of Europe's oil supply (creating shortages and price spikes throughout the world) do you think Americans would care?

When we are told to be our brother's keeper - this was not a requirement of government - but of one another to keep us morally sound.

Government is the last morally sound institution on earth and we do NOT rely on it.

This was told to US - individuals - to do our part. Obviously - the Apostles were not teaching government edict. Rather individual salvation.

AND if ya wanna go there - Israel looked to the MORALS of their would be leaders - so as to remain faithful to the Lord. Anyone not moral - caused serious issues - and they did NOT want that.

Today - its not like that at all. We dont care if leaders worry about God.

Pope Francis 'stunned' by abortion rate in Spain...

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