Benedict condemns abortion & embryo research.

Vatican City -- God sees embryos as "full and complete" humans, Pope Benedict XVI stated at his weekly Wednesday address on December 28, 2005. He was commenting on the second half of Psalm 138 (139), beginning with verse 13 which reads: "For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb."

That view is the basis for the Church's teaching that aborting or manipulating these embryos amounts to murder.

The Pontiff also raised the theme in his Mass of Christmas Eve, saying the love of God shines on each child, "even on those still unborn" (Toronto Sun, Dec. 29, 2005)

Pope Benedict also touched upon the same subject in his December 22 address to the new British ambassador who had mentioned his country remaining faithful to Europe's rich traditions. "This," the Pope said, "requires us to recognize and protect the sanctity of life from the first moment of conception till natural death. It requires us to acknowledge the indispensable role of stable marriage and family life for the good of society. It obliges us to consider carefully the ethical implications of scientific and technological progress, particularly in the field of medical research and genetic engineering. Above all, it directs us to a proper understanding of human freedom which can never be realized independently of God."

Comment

It is precisely because the United Kingdom and other countries such as Canada are breaking all the above rules that Benedict repeats God's teaching to them and to us again and again. Pope John Paul II set the example in never growing weary of reminding nations of their duties and responsibilities much to the annoyance of dissenting Catholics.