NAIROBI, Kenya – The Catholic Church will resist any moves to legalize abortion in Kenya, said Cardinal John Njue of Nairobi.
Cardinal Njue, president of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, led hundreds of Catholics into the streets to demonstrate against the Reproductive Health and Rights Bill 2008, which would legalize abortion. He said the bill should be opposed at all costs.
Urging legislators to vote against the measure, he reminded them they were sent to parliament by voters to make good laws.
The cardinal, who celebrated Mass at Nairobi’s Holy Family Minor Basilica Nov. 15 after the demonstration, described abortion as murder and said it showed disrespect for life and human dignity.
“We have come here not to condemn anybody, but (to condemn) the act itself. We hope the lawmakers we have sent to parliament will confine (themselves) to making good but not destructive laws such as this attempt to have abortion legalized in the country,” said the cardinal.
Without elaborating further, Cardinal Njue said the forces behind the move to have abortion legalized in the country were foreign.
“People who have spoiled their families in their countries are now out to have the same happen here,” the cardinal said. He said those forces were targeting young people and that women were central in pushing through the issue.
“I appeal to you, young people of this country, not to be party to this anti-human-dignity move, while you women, you should not allow your wombs to be turned into slaughterhouses rather than a pro-life arena as part of God’s plan for human life,” he said.
This past summer, Cardinal Njue visited St. Matthew, Northwood.