Members of a Christian professionals organization in Africa are urging the government of Sierra Leone to “withdraw or amend” a proposal that would legalize abortion in the country.
Government officials are currently considering the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Act of 2024, legislation that would legalize abortion up to 14 weeks for any reason, and up to birth for additional reasons. The law does not clarify the difference between ending a pregnancy through live birth delivery or ending it through induced abortion — the direct and intentional killing of the preborn child — under the law, but states only that “‘termination of pregnancy’ means a procedure or process of ending a pregnancy.” Other reasons for ‘termination of the pregnancy’ included in the bill are questionable and concerning. According to the proposed law, “services to be provided” include:
Safe termination of pregnancy services where –
(i) The age of the pregnancy is fourteen weeks or less
(ii) the continued pregnancy will endanger the life of a pregnant woman or adolescent girl;
(iii) the termination of pregnancy is necessary to prevent injury to the physical or mental health of a pregnant woman or adolescent girl;
(iv) there is malformation of the foetus which will affect its viability or incompatibility with life; or
(v) the pregnancy is a result of sexual penetration, rape or incest;
(vi) prevention and treatment of complications of unsafe termination of pregnancy; and
(vii) obstetric fistula
Earlier this month, a report revealed that the Biden administration may be pressuring the country to adopt the pro-abortion act by threatening to withhold foreign aid if it does not pass. Marie Stopes, an international pro-abortion organization based in the UK with ties to illegal abortions in Kenya, participated in the drafting of the bill.
The Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) shared its statement denouncing abortion, and urging government leaders to reconsider in a Facebook post on December 21.
“ACPF strongly urges the Government and Members of Parliament of Sierra Leone to withdraw or amend the provisions within the Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Care Bill, 2024, that allow the termination of pregnancies up to 14 weeks,” the group wrote in its statement. “These provisions violate the Constitution of Sierra Leone, contradict International Conventions to which Sierra Leone is a signatory, and undermine the sanctity of life, which is a fundamental Principle of our shared moral and cultural values.”
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The group went on to call for the redirection of efforts away from abortion to the strengthening of maternal healthcare services, including greater access to prenatal and postnatal care, counseling for those in crisis pregnancies, and greater support for adoption.
According to the Catholic News Agency, other religious leaders in Sierra Leone have spoken out against the proposal, including Bishop Bob John Hassan Koroma of the Catholic Diocese of Makeni.
“This, in our estimation as Catholics, is a subtle way of legalizing the unspeakable crime of abortion in this country – an act diametrically opposed to the very essence of what we celebrate at this time, namely, the birth of the Baby Jesus,” Bishop Koroma said in his Christmas message.
“I, together with my brother Bishops, call on all religiously minded Parliamentarians and Parliamentarians of goodwill, capable of distinguishing between good and evil, to vote categorically against that bill.”
Tell President Trump, RFK, Jr., Elon, and Vivek:
Stop killing America’s future. Defund Planned Parenthood NOW!
