Catholic youths agree with discussion on abortion, 'if spoken in the light of truth'

The subject of abortion should not be a taboo, but “spoken of in the light of truth”, the Malta Catholic Youth Network (MCYN) said today.

The Catholic youths were reacting to a session of the National Youth Parliament, which on Wednesday discussed sexual health and reproductive rights, amongst other subjects.

The youth parliament yesterday insisted that Malta should hold a proper consultation on abortion, which they insisted should no longer remain a taboo subject.

“We believe there should be room for consultation and discussion, especially in light of the fact that every year, several Maltese women are forced to have abortions abroad or by using unsafe methods”, the youths, who were aged between 19 and 35, said.

The MCYN, who represent a large number of youth organisations in Malta agreed that abortion should not be a taboo, but insisted that it should be “spoken of in the light of truth”.

“Life should be protected from conception to natural death… Maltese society at large must remember that abortion is a procedure, which goes against this basic principle and right to life”.

The group went on to encourage Maltese institutions to draw up educational programs, designed to help youths understand the “deep consequences which abortion brings not only on their personal lives but also on the termination of life of the unborn child”.

Such programs, they said, should “highlight the importance of good sexual health, and which are not only based on the physical aspect of sexuality but also include the emotional, psychological, spiritual and moral perspectives”.

MCYN called upon youths who are supporting people struggling with the idea of abortion and stressed that they should not “abandon their peers”.

“It is important, especially for Catholics, to guide, help and support young women or couples who have already passed through an abortion”, they said.

The Malta Catholic Youth Network appealed to the public to inform those “who still do not know about the gravity of abortion, which deprives the unborn child of the most basic of rights: the right to life”.