Madagascar’s Catholic Bishops Fault Bill to Castrate Child Rapists as “against human dignity”

However, they pose, “Is it really through this law that we could truly eradicate rape?”

The Catholic Bishops advocate for the reinforcement of the current law that imposes a five-year prison sentence for rapists.

They argue that the “teachings of the Church, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Madagascar's current fundamental law all speak with one voice in affirming that torture goes against human dignity.”

“The human body is so sacred as the work of God and redeemed by Christ that no one has any power over it, not even the law,” CEM members say in their 13-point statement dated May 9.

They add, “The man who enacts the law infringing on the human body claims to take the place of God. But a human being who claims to take the place of God becomes the worst danger for himself and above all for the whole nation.”

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In their statement, CEM members also express concern about birth control, “which is currently on the government's agenda, if not a priority.”

“Deciding to procreate is a matter of free choice and will on the part of the spouses, and the child that results is their own responsibility,” Catholic Bishops say, adding, “This is natural family planning in line with the teaching of the Catholic Church, insofar as it respects human dignity.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.