Dominican Republic against abortion for rape victims
published: Friday | July 28, 2006

SANTO DOMINGO (LifeSiteNews.com):

Dominican Republic lawmakers voted down Tuesday a proposal tabled last week to allow abortion for women pregnant because of rape.

According to a Catholic News Agency report, although it origi-nally looked as though the proposed change to the country's Penal Code would pass, a concerted effort by pro-life lobbyists persuaded House members to reject the clause in the final draft.

Bishop Ramon Benito, the Secretary General of the country's Bishops' Conference, emphasised last week that a child conceived because of rape is no more deserving of abortion than other children. "Just as there are centres of care for children, society must seek out solutions in favour of life for children who are conceived through rape, as well as quality care for mothers," he stated.