Zika virus: Govt needs to ease abortion restrictions, says Baptist
The Alliance of Baptists in Brazil has urged the government to loosen its regulations against abortion in the midst of the Zika virus outbreak.
Pastor Joel Zeferino's call comes as debates surrounding the legalization of abortion in Brazil heat up with the likely link between the Zika virus and microcephaly. Abortion is illegal in Brazil except in cases of rape, health emergencies, or anecephaly – a fatal abnormality in babies.
The Independent quoted Zeferino stating that the issue of the Zika outbreak in Brazil should be discussed in a much more open and democratic manner with society.
The pastor of Igreja Batista Nazareth in Salvador further explained that the women who go through these abortions should be invited in such debates and given opportunities to speak with regards the issue.
President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil has called religious leaders from different denominations to the Presidential Palace to educate their congregations about the Zika fever breakout which started in April last year, Baptist News Global reports.
In response to the emerging persuasion to legalize abortion, the Brazilian Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated that the Zika health crisis does not justify promoting abortion.
Nonetheless, legal actions are now being prepared to be taken to Brazil's Supreme Court to authorize abortion cases for pregnant women with confirmed Zika infection, according to The Pilot.
The Aedesaegypti mosquito which carries Zika and other viruses can be found throughout the world. It lays eggs in stagnant water that often collects in containers like flowerpots, gutters, old tires, as well as flood plains and crevices.
Health officials are still not certain that Zika is behind the recent increase of babies with microcephaly.
Life Newsis calling on readers to ask the Alliance of Baptists of Brazil to protect unborn babies from abortion.