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Catholic Church slams Zimbabwe's Abortion Bill
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The Roman Catholic Church has launched a strong condemnation of Zimbabwe's proposed Medical Services Bill, warning that it represents a moral failure amid widespread poverty and collapsing public services. The Bill, currently awaiting a Senate vote, has sparked intense national debate as it seeks to allow abortions on request up to 20 weeks for adults and minors without parental consent, remove the requirement for spousal notification, and permit a single medical practitioner to authorise the procedure.
Addressing congregants during a Confirmation Mass in Mt Pleasant on Sunday, Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare, who also serves as President of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, described the Bill as "sinful" and "evil." He pledged that the Church would approach President Emmerson Mnangagwa to dissuade him from signing the Bill should it pass the Senate.
Criticising Parliament for prioritising abortion over urgent issues such as poor infrastructure and water shortages, Ndlovu said, "In the communities where we stay, there are potholes everywhere, taps are dry — that is what they should be debating in Parliament. To them, it does not mean anything. And they call that ‘human rights — women's reproductive rights'. Yes, women and girls have to be empowered, but not by destroying their conscience."
He urged parishioners to observe a day of prayer and fasting on February 6, warning that the Bill could "destroy our identity as a people" and compromise protections for the most vulnerable, particularly unborn children. Ndlovu also claimed that foreign interests were backing the legislation, including organisations and embassies sponsoring lawyers to support its passage. "Even if they vote for it, we may have to confront the President and convince him not to sign it, because we know the consequences," he said.
The Archbishop emphasised the role of the Church in safeguarding moral and cultural values, saying, "If we just swallow all that in the name of civilisation, we end up losing our identity and values. We need to stick to what we believe is right to retain our dignity and values." He highlighted the psychological and spiritual toll of abortion on individuals, noting that some confess to actions taken decades ago yet remain haunted by guilt.
Supporters of the Bill argue that Zimbabwe's 1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act is outdated and imposes bureaucratic barriers that make legal abortion difficult to access, framing the proposed legislation as necessary for women's reproductive rights. The debate is expected to intensify as the Bill proceeds through the legislative process.
Addressing congregants during a Confirmation Mass in Mt Pleasant on Sunday, Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare, who also serves as President of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, described the Bill as "sinful" and "evil." He pledged that the Church would approach President Emmerson Mnangagwa to dissuade him from signing the Bill should it pass the Senate.
Criticising Parliament for prioritising abortion over urgent issues such as poor infrastructure and water shortages, Ndlovu said, "In the communities where we stay, there are potholes everywhere, taps are dry — that is what they should be debating in Parliament. To them, it does not mean anything. And they call that ‘human rights — women's reproductive rights'. Yes, women and girls have to be empowered, but not by destroying their conscience."
He urged parishioners to observe a day of prayer and fasting on February 6, warning that the Bill could "destroy our identity as a people" and compromise protections for the most vulnerable, particularly unborn children. Ndlovu also claimed that foreign interests were backing the legislation, including organisations and embassies sponsoring lawyers to support its passage. "Even if they vote for it, we may have to confront the President and convince him not to sign it, because we know the consequences," he said.
The Archbishop emphasised the role of the Church in safeguarding moral and cultural values, saying, "If we just swallow all that in the name of civilisation, we end up losing our identity and values. We need to stick to what we believe is right to retain our dignity and values." He highlighted the psychological and spiritual toll of abortion on individuals, noting that some confess to actions taken decades ago yet remain haunted by guilt.
Supporters of the Bill argue that Zimbabwe's 1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act is outdated and imposes bureaucratic barriers that make legal abortion difficult to access, framing the proposed legislation as necessary for women's reproductive rights. The debate is expected to intensify as the Bill proceeds through the legislative process.
Source - Newsday
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