By Chilean President Sebastián Piñera

The following comes from a LifeSiteNews.com story originally published on March 18 in El Mercurio.

I have followed with much attention the debate over abortion, following the Senate Committee on Health’s approval of three bills tending to depenalize it under certain circumstances.

Before expressing my position with regard to the substance, I think it is useful and necessary to make two considerations of form. The first is that this is a legitimate and necessary debate in a democratic and pluralistic society like ours. The second is that at we must not engage in this debate assuming bad faith or discrediting one’s opponent, but rather arguing, with respect and seriousness, based on principles, convictions, and the search for the common good. 

Regarding the substance: as the whole country knows, I am against the legalization of abortion for multiple reasons and in many ways. I have peace in that this is a position that I have maintained in public and in private, for my whole life, including the period in which I was a senator, two times a candidate for the presidency, and it was thusly stated in my presidential position statements, and today I ratify it as President of the Republic.

This firm and clear position is supported by various kinds of arguments. First, one of juridical character. Our Constitution secures the right to life for all people, and both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Tribunal have invariably ruled that, in accordance with our legal system, the unborn child is also a person, whose life must be protected. And if that weren’t enough, the Constitution itself requires the legislator to adopt the necessary measures to “protect the life of the unborn.”

The second reason is a practical one: when in doubt it is always better to opt for life. Because even if we didn’t have certainty regarding the juridical treatment that must be given to a human life in gestation, the correct and wise thing to do is to assume a humble position and opt for that which is most favorable to the protection and development of that life. When we are addressing issues that involve human life or dignity, therefore, it is better to be prudent than proceed in haste.

The third reason is that this is not a decision that belongs only to the mother or the parents of the unborn child. A new, unique, unrepeatable person, distinct from its parents is also involved, whose life must be defended with greater force, precisely because of its state of complete innocence and defenselessness.

The fourth reason is of a religious kind. As a Christian I believe that life is a gift from God. Only he has the right to give life and the right to take it away. For that reason, I support protecting life and human dignity from conception to natural death. And for the same reason, I am also against euthanasia and the death penalty….

To read entire story, Click here.

 

READER COMMENTS

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 12:58 AM By Dan
Good for you, President Pinera. May your clear and compassionate thinking spread all the way up to the corridors of power in this country.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 5:40 AM By Canisius
Chile is nearly a Catholic Confessional State, although its currently under assault by leftist agitators (who else)… sounds like a place to move to especially if the Marxist in chief steals the next election

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 5:58 AM By rborelli
Thank you, President Piñera, for your reasoned and articulate explanation for legislatures in all countries to defend all unborn life. God bless you.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 6:46 AM By Max
This is an eloquently written statement. How could any of the so-called Catholics inin public life in the U.S. Democratic party argue against it?

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 8:25 AM By Anne T.
From what I have read, Chile is one of the safest places on the planet for women and children during childbirth. Now I know why.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 8:27 AM By Anne T.
I wonder, too, if they have support for Natural Familiy Planning for those women who are not in good health, and a birth would put them at risk.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 8:42 AM By Anne T.
Of course, I am only suggesting that those Natural Family Planning classes be given along with a marriage license.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 10:30 AM By MacDonald
From Dec. 4, 2008: “The Grand Duke of Luxembourg, who has said he would interfere with a decision by parliament, will likely be stripped of his veto in a historic decision after a heated showdown over a bill to legalize euthanasia.” SOME Catholic monarchs (and politicians) stand up for life, even if it means the loss of power. God bless them!

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 10:45 AM By NUTUNE
The Chilean government under Pinochet got rid of a couple thousand Communists by placing them in a stadium overnight, only to have them disappear by the next day. There is no Communism in Chile today, but President Pinera is using different means to eliminate abortionists.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 3:02 PM By Jay S.
Well, I’m sure that some pro-life US politicians would be more out-spoken about their efforts to abolish abortion in our country if they were as wealthy as this guy. At least 4 billion dollars, according to Forbes!

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 3:20 PM By Anne T.
Mac Donald, indeed the Grand Duke of Lexembourg will be blessed by God for taking such a virtuous pro-life stand. It is too bad the King of Spain did not take such a virtuous stand against so-called same-sex marriage. No wonder Spain is in such a mess with the Islamists at their door. What was it that the Lord Jesus, the Greatest Lord of All, said? Oh, I remember, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?”

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 3:23 PM By Anne T.
And, Mac Donald, let us pray to God that we, too, have the courage to take such a stand if we are faced with such a similar condition.

Posted Friday, May 18, 2012 3:25 PM By Anne T.
Correction: if we are faced with a simialr conditions.