ANTI-ABORTION MARCH ATTRACTS THOUSANDS
13 MARCH 2010
"The hands of South Africa's lawmakers are dripping with blood".
said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale to more than 2,000 anti-abortionists
who marched on Saturday 13 March with the Archbishop from the
Cathedral of Christ the King to Constitution Hill where officials
from the Department of Health accepted a petition addressed to the
Minister of Health calling for an end to abortion.
South Africa is a young democracy - said the Archbishop - yet
those at the helm have wasted no time in "binning God". They
tolerate religion so long as it is practiced in private. South
Africa's law makers deny that God is the source of all freedom. The
Act simply frees a person from moral responsibility, from the
dictates of their conscience. Since abortion is approved by
Government legislation it cannot be wrong is the reasoning which
sees morality reduced to a personal preference. The debate around
moral regeneration is simply that - debate. There is no search for
elusive moral value, not much conscience. In the debate there are
no absolutes, no non-negotiables. For Christians God is the author
of life and we have to answer to Him on the issue of abortion. Yes,
there are tensions between individuals and tension between the
church and politicians who have legislated the killing of life in
the womb but society is far too lazy to search for the truth, to do
what is moral.
We are on a cause of life. We march today because the Church is
duty bound to raise its voice; duty bound to value life, especially
life in the womb. South Africa's lawmakers deny life and offer
abortion on demand. In this country child rape, brutal abuse of
women and children, drugs, violent road deaths are common. Amidst
this everyday violence the gospel calls us to protect and revere
life. "Thou shalt not kill" is unambiguous. Life is of
unassailable, inestimable value and abortion is a deplorable crime.
Doctors and nurses are pledged to serve life, not death. How
long will it be before the South Africa's constitution protects
life?
The Archbishop called on young people to respect their bodies,
respect life and speak out. Silence means complicity. "Love God,
love your neighbour". he urged the assembly. "Protect and defend
life - life from its inception"
Permission for the march was withheld until Thursday redirected
from the "Old Fort" entrance to the Con Court entrance.
Nevertheless it was well attended and marchers were well
disciplined. Graphic photos of aborted babies; images of the Virgin
of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn carried.
Contact
Most Reverend Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop of
Johannesburg, 011646-0771
Michelle Joseph, Chairperson, Culture of Life 082-609-6919
Shelly Joseph, Educator Culture of Life 084-252-9691
Fr Shaun Von Lillienfeld, Cathedral 083-763-0807
Lempe Motumi, St Cecilia Sodality, 082-633-3704
Br George Whyte, march organiser, 082-360-4815
Photos on request from Archdiocesan News, adnews@icon.co.za ,
083-267-7070
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