Pope Benedict XVI has recently denounced international agencies that promote abortion in Africa, urging Africans to defend life in all its phases.

The pope said that though Christian family life finds deep resonance in Africa, it is a matter of great concern that the globalised secular culture is exerting an increasing influence on local communities as a result of campaigns by agencies promoting abortion. The Holy Father said: “This direct destruction of an innocent human life can never be justified, however difficult the circumstances that may lead someone to consider taking such a grave step. The right to life of every innocent human being, born or unborn, is absolute and applies equally to all people with no exception whatsoever.”

The pontiff called on all Catholic communities to offer support to those women who may find it difficult to accept children, in particular those that may be isolated from their family and friends.

He also spoke about marriage and family life, which the people of Africa hold in particar esteem. The Pope intimated that the devoted love of married Christian couples is a blessing for all and therefore stressed the need to guard what he called this precious treasure at all costs. He said that it is important for parents to teach children how to live out a Christian vision of marriage, conceived as an indissoluble union between one man and one woman, essentially equal in their humanity, in addition to being open to the generation of new life.