Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
MILLER AND RICHARDS
RELIGIOUS LEADERS said last week that they are not softening their stance on abortion, despite concern about its prevalence in Jamaica and calls by medical and women's rights organisations for a review of current abortion laws, which render the practice illegal.
Speaking with The Gleaner on Friday, the Rev. Al Miller, who heads the non-denominational Whole Life Ministries, and Roman Catholic rector at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Father Kenneth Richards, argued that abortion is morally wrong.
They insist that more emphasis should be placed on educating people about managing and understanding their sexuality and teaching values rather than changing the law.
"Education will do more for reducing quack visits than removing the law," Rev. Miller said.
They echo sentiments expressed several times by other religious leaders who have condemned abortion and even condemned last year's call by Dr. Joseph Hall, retired head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, for the legalisation and regulation of abortion in Jamaica.
He argued that making this move would reduce the number of maternal deaths linked to unsafe abortions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines unsafe abortion as a procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy either by persons lacking the necessary skills or in an environment lacking the minimal medical standards, or both.
Abortion ranks among the most controversial topics in Jamaica. The debate usually centres around three groups those who believe abortion should never be done (pro-life); those who believe abortion should be permitted in certain conditions; and those who believe abortion should be allowed and regulated and that a woman has the right to make choices about her body (pro-choice).
"I don't believe that any person or persons or group of persons should decide. The woman should have a choice (and) should be able to do this in a properly equipped facility and with people who are trained to do it," said Dr. Douglas McDonald, senior medical officer at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital.
However, religious leaders continue to dismiss and lobby against this view.
"This is absolute rubbish. Her choice was to be responsible," said Rev. Miller. "It may be her body but the life is not hers. She did not give life. When it comes to life, God gives life so the woman does not have that right."
Father Richards said: "It's an attack on a life conceived in the womb by the action of man and God."
SITUATIONAL CASES
In fact, last October, Rev. Miller convened a march through streets of Kingston, leading a 'Bawl Out' committee, which promoted atonement thorough God and decried a number of issues including the high levels of violent crime in the country, homosexuality and abortion.
"That's murder and irresponsible behaviour (which results) when people have sex without wanting responsibility," said Rev. Miller.
However, church representatives concede that one needs to look at situational cases with regard to medical reasons and rape.
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