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Church excommunicates Doctor and Mom of 9 year old rape victim, but not the rapist
No matter one’s stance on contraception and abortion, most people feel sympathetic for a 9-year-old rape victim who is impregnated with twins by her step father, and is forced to undergo an abortion to save her life.
The Catholic Church, however, excommunicated those who helped rescue her.
In 2009, a 9 year old in Brazil had to have an emergency abortion after her mother brought her to the hospital for complaining about severe stomach pains and discovered the girl was four months pregnant. But after the procedure, instead of embracing the victim and offering to help the family, the Catholic Church excommunicated the doctor who performed the abortion and the girl’s mother.
The Church did not excommunicate the rapist:
The controversy represents a PR nightmare for the Vatican. The unnamed girl’s mother and doctors were excommunicated for agreeing to Wednesday’s emergency abortion yet the Church has not taken formal steps against the stepfather, who is in custody. Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, the conservative regional archbishop for Pernambuco where the girl was rushed to hospital, has said that the man would not be thrown out of the Church, because although he had allegedly committed “a heinous crime”, the Church took the view that “the abortion, the elimination of an innocent life, was more serious”.
The case has set off fierce debate in Brazil, where abortion is permitted only in cases of rape or medical emergency. Brazil is one of the most populous Catholic countries, but conservative attitudes in rural areas are strongly at odds with the relatively progressive public view of abortion in major cities.
While the circumstances are much more grave in this example, the same conflict of beliefs is now happening the United States: While 82 percent of Catholics support birth control use, the Catholic Church is suing to have it removed from required health care plans.
This case shows the extent to which some far-right leaders in the Catholic Church will go to fight against what they charge as morally reprehensible — even if the vast majority of their adherents don’t agree, or consider the charges flipped.
This story has been edited to reflect the fact that the incident occurred in 2009.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/05/25/490171/brazil-excommunication-for-abortion/
The Catholic Church, however, excommunicated those who helped rescue her.
In 2009, a 9 year old in Brazil had to have an emergency abortion after her mother brought her to the hospital for complaining about severe stomach pains and discovered the girl was four months pregnant. But after the procedure, instead of embracing the victim and offering to help the family, the Catholic Church excommunicated the doctor who performed the abortion and the girl’s mother.
The Church did not excommunicate the rapist:
The controversy represents a PR nightmare for the Vatican. The unnamed girl’s mother and doctors were excommunicated for agreeing to Wednesday’s emergency abortion yet the Church has not taken formal steps against the stepfather, who is in custody. Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, the conservative regional archbishop for Pernambuco where the girl was rushed to hospital, has said that the man would not be thrown out of the Church, because although he had allegedly committed “a heinous crime”, the Church took the view that “the abortion, the elimination of an innocent life, was more serious”.
The case has set off fierce debate in Brazil, where abortion is permitted only in cases of rape or medical emergency. Brazil is one of the most populous Catholic countries, but conservative attitudes in rural areas are strongly at odds with the relatively progressive public view of abortion in major cities.
While the circumstances are much more grave in this example, the same conflict of beliefs is now happening the United States: While 82 percent of Catholics support birth control use, the Catholic Church is suing to have it removed from required health care plans.
This case shows the extent to which some far-right leaders in the Catholic Church will go to fight against what they charge as morally reprehensible — even if the vast majority of their adherents don’t agree, or consider the charges flipped.
This story has been edited to reflect the fact that the incident occurred in 2009.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/05/25/490171/brazil-excommunication-for-abortion/
SMH......I agree with you Brice....
"It seems like the church thinks the sin is to be raped and to not be able to handle giving birth to a child that was the result of a monsterous act against a child. I gotta say at 9 years old, if it were my child. I would have had her get the abortion as well."
my thoughts exactly....
"Instead of taking this family in and nurturing them and aid in healing them, they just cast them out and kept the rapist? Yeah this is wrong on so many levels, so whose sin is worse? The mom? the child? the rapist? or the church?"
THE RAPIST......
"It seems like the church thinks the sin is to be raped and to not be able to handle giving birth to a child that was the result of a monsterous act against a child. I gotta say at 9 years old, if it were my child. I would have had her get the abortion as well."
my thoughts exactly....
"Instead of taking this family in and nurturing them and aid in healing them, they just cast them out and kept the rapist? Yeah this is wrong on so many levels, so whose sin is worse? The mom? the child? the rapist? or the church?"
THE RAPIST......
It seems like the church thinks the sin is to be raped and to not be able to handle giving birth to a child that was the result of a monsterous act against a child. I gotta say at 9 years old, if it were my child. I would have had her get the abortion as well. Instead of taking this family in and nurturing them and aid in healing them, they just cast them out and kept the rapist? Yeah this is wrong on so many levels, so whose sin is worse? The mom? the child? the rapist? or the church?
These same pompous peoples attitudes crucified Christ imo.
Jesus didnt go where the pompous people were, he went into the nest of the sick, the poor, the downtrodden and the desperate. Turn out the very people that need you the most ?
Im dealing with a personal situation in my own family regarding this kind of stuff so Im sorry if I seem frustrated cause I am.
These same pompous peoples attitudes crucified Christ imo.
Jesus didnt go where the pompous people were, he went into the nest of the sick, the poor, the downtrodden and the desperate. Turn out the very people that need you the most ?
Im dealing with a personal situation in my own family regarding this kind of stuff so Im sorry if I seem frustrated cause I am.
If the church is under the impression that raping a 9 year old is not a sin, its probably time to find another God. Ridiculous... By their own standards, this SOB should be on a roiling boil in hell right about now, or at least have his kettle ready.
I have to be honest, I have struggled with my religious upbringing for years over issues just like this one. My other big problem has been their stance on gay rights. It's tough when your religious upbringing completely conflicts with your personal belief system. There is a movement though within the church to bring it up to more modern day understandings of certain issues. To me, some of the teachings and rules seem rather antiquated. I respect it, but sadly cannot follow it. It's been a personal struggle for me for a very long time.
I too have family member in the catholic church adgal and like you It struck me the very same way. I can understand to a point, but has this child and her family not been thru enuff? Kind of like being raped again imo.
And the stepfather that raped her! Whats up with that? Yeah, something aint right here.
Personally I have nothing to do with a faith that sets these rules for its members and then hands down punishment. But that is me. That is my description of a cult. Not just catholic, but organizations like JW as well.
The crucifiction ended those archaic practices as far as Im concerned. Thank God I dont have to have goats sacraficed. I would go to hell and starve to death for lack of livestock! lol
And the stepfather that raped her! Whats up with that? Yeah, something aint right here.
Personally I have nothing to do with a faith that sets these rules for its members and then hands down punishment. But that is me. That is my description of a cult. Not just catholic, but organizations like JW as well.
The crucifiction ended those archaic practices as far as Im concerned. Thank God I dont have to have goats sacraficed. I would go to hell and starve to death for lack of livestock! lol
I read this much earlier today and really had to think about it. My initial reaction of course is extreme anger toward the Church as this really is unfair. However, I was raised Catholic, and the policies or teachings of the Church are that divorce, abortion, etc. are sins that will have you excommunicated. As despicable as it was what happened to that poor little girl, the Church does not believe in abortion in any circumstance. As far as I know there are no exceptions. So this is a case of them following "policy" I suppose. Do I agree with their decision? Of course not. But I do kind of understand how they came to this conclusion.
As for the rapist? I cannot understand why he too was not excommunicated. However, regardless of what has (or has not) happened to him, I suspect the Devil reserves a very special place for men like him...actually, I can't even call him a man. Men don't rape little girls.
As for the rapist? I cannot understand why he too was not excommunicated. However, regardless of what has (or has not) happened to him, I suspect the Devil reserves a very special place for men like him...actually, I can't even call him a man. Men don't rape little girls.
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