Father Antonio Vélez Alfar, originally from Colombia, currently lives in Argentina. Her father's mother was raped at the age of 27, but she was determined to protect the unborn child.
The painful but convincing story of a courageous woman's faith is testified by Father Antonio himself at a time when in Argentina there is strong opposition to the law allowing abortion.
“For my mother, the greatest pride is to have saved my life,” as he said these words Father Antonio had tears in his eyes, because this brought him back to his painful childhood. and parents. In fact, her parents revealed that she was pregnant after being raped.
Father Antonio, the parish priest of Argentina's Chubut province, decided to testify after a judgment by Argentina's supreme court, which declared abortion not against the law in cases of rape.
“My mother was a woman of strong faith, conviction, and practice,” Father said. She said that despite the terrible situation, she had conceived the miracle of a new life, a life that God had given her. It was because of this conviction that my mother did not have an abortion. And if God allows this to happen, then the event must make sense.”
Antonio's mother and father were raped at the age of 27 by co-workers. At a festival, these people drugged a young girl and abused her. In the agony of not knowing who the baby's father was, the young girl was forced to marry a widow.
This husband not only did not love her but also continued to abuse her right after the marriage. Because they could not separate, Antonia's parents still had to stay with her husband and have a second child, while Antonio was sent back to his grandmother.
Father Antonio continued the story: One day, my grandmother said that I called my grandfather "dad", I wondered why the same person was both father and grandfather. From this question, I went to ask my mother, and she told me the terrible story she had to go through.
She confided: Many people want the mother to have an abortion, others want the mother to sell the child and some people want to throw the child on the street. And there are also people who care about you.
In fact, I had a very difficult childhood. When I was only 10 years old I had a backlash against my mother.
One day, I wanted to vent my anger to God. I went to church to protest against Him. While I shouted “Why is this happening to me?” Then a priest came up to me and told me that I was asking the wrong question.
Father said don't ask "why", but ask "for whom". That's my situation, God is calling me to do miracles.
That priest told me that God writes straight on curves and that I will be His instrument.
The priest then read the passage from the prophet Jeremiah about the Lord's call to him and reassured him. “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you, I made you a prophet to the nations. But I said: 'Oh! O Lord God, I am too young, I cannot speak!' The Lord said to me: 'Don't say you are young! Wherever I send you, you go; Whatever I command you to say, just say it. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you.'” (Jeremiah 1:1-8)
Father Antonio's testimony before the court is an earlier assertion made by most Argentines, especially Christians.
In fact, in November 2020, Christians of many denominations in Argentina and people of good will took to the streets to protest against the bill to legalize abortion that was presented to Congress by President Alberto Fernandez. .
According to organizers, protests have taken place in more than 500 cities across the country.
The law would also allow girls under the age of 13 to have an abortion without parental consent, make abortions legal until the 14th week of pregnancy, and allow abortions at any time. any point of pregnancy if it is determined to be life, physical or psychological danger to the mother or if it is the result of sexual abuse. Also in November 2020, 8 women lived one of the largest slums in the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, the former diocese of Pope Francis, wrote to him expressing concern that the abortion bill targeted poor women and asked him to help his voice. Their words are heard.
In a letter dated November 22, 2020 to Argentine women, the Pope said that the issue of abortion is not primarily a religious issue but a human moral one, which precedes any denomination. which religion.
The pope posed two questions: “Is it fair to eliminate a human life to solve a problem? Is it fair to hire a hired killer to solve a problem?” This is the first time he has spoken directly about the pro-abortion campaign in his home country.
The Pope commended anti-abortion women "who are truly women who understand what this life is" and he admires their work and witness. He thanked them for what they did. He said that his hometown is proud to have women like them.00
Source: Vatican News
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