Baghdida - Georgina Hababa - Assi Mina -
The advancement of medical sciences nowadays provides the possibility of detecting some birth defects in a child still in his mother’s womb. Since medicine is still unable to solve and treat these problems, some of them go so far as to say that it is preferable to choose abortion, that is, simply killing the fetus!
They do not think about the dangers that this behavior, stemming from a false humanitarian position, causes to the moral system that upholds correct values. People of sound conscience categorically reject this behavior, and the Church also has a clear and consistent position on this issue.
In an exclusive interview with “Assi Mina”, Father Antoine Shaker Zaitouneh, pastor of the Chaldean Church of Saint Narsai in Baghdida and who holds a master’s degree in theology, explained Al-Adbi from the Urban University in Rome said that “abortion is a moral evil.” Because killing a human being, even if it is still a fetus, is an evil act that can remain engraved in the conscious memory of humanity, especially the mother.”
Zaitouneh explained that there are those who justify abortion by saying: “This fetus is not a complete human being!” These people forget that the fetus is the result of the love relationship between “a man and a woman.” Do they have the right to treat him as they treat a lock of hair or something similar?
Zaitouneh regrets that similar phenomena only appear in “developed” countries. It is one of the most terrifying manifestations of the civilization of death, as Pope John Paul II put it in the encyclical “The Gospel of Life.” These ideas penetrate especially into affluent societies marked by a utilitarian mentality, which have become burdened by the increase in the number of elderly people and people with special needs.
Zaitouneh stressed that “the Church affirms that human life begins at the same moment when a man’s sperm meets a woman’s egg.” They form the first cell of a new creature (the fertilized egg). Therefore, the fruit of the encounter between a man and a woman must be respected, just like any other person.”
Zaitouneh referred to John Paul II’s assertion in the “Gospel of Life” that “human life is sacred, because it presupposes, from the beginning, the creative work of God.” Life always remains in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its only goal. God is the master of life from its beginning to its end: no one is justified, whatever the circumstances, to claim for himself the right to directly eliminate an innocent human being.”
In summary, a person with special needs needs the care and attention he deserves. Under no circumstances is it permissible to get rid of him under the pretext of pity for him and to end his life to relieve him of suffering! Parents do not have the right to evade the responsibility of caring for their suffering children, just as it is not right for the state to evade its responsibilities towards people with special needs.