The Korean Church has launched a project to prevent abortions by
mobilizing relevant Catholic institutions to assist single mothers after
they give birth.
The Pro-life Activities of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea
(CBCK) launched the “New Life Project” with a Mass at Myeongdong
Cathedral yesterday.
The project combines 15 Church and pro-life group shelters for single
mothers, and assistance from dioceses and hospitals to encourage
unmarried pregnant women to have their babies.
Catholic-run hospitals will offer free delivery for unmarried
pregnant women who will be later offered accommodation at the shelters
along with financial support from dioceses and parishes.
The project will also focus on sex education for youths in Catholic
schools and parish Sunday schools to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
“Catholic Church teaches that human life begins from fertilization.
Abortions and destruction of human embryos are heavy crimes that destroy
life,” said Bishop Gabriel Chang Bong-hun of Cheongju, president of the
CBCK Committee for Bioethics.
“Life choosing life is life loving God. We all should be the
protectors of life by respecting and loving life and being proclaimers
of the Gospel of life,” he added.
Father Casimir Song Yul-sup, secretary of the Pro-life Activities said the project would help many women.
“Annually, some 4,000 single women have their babies and they are
great mothers who protect life. This project is concrete action and will
help them and many others greatly,” he said.