Sign the Penal Code into law, Catholic Church asks Medina

Santo Domingo.- The Catholic Church’s Liaison with the Government on Wednesday asked president Danilo Medina to sign the controversial Penal Code into law.

In the letter to Medina, the priest Manuel Ruiz affirms that to enact the legislation would be giving "a Christmas gift to provide the country with an effective tool to protect the people."

Interviewed in the National Palace, Ruiz said that although the Penal Code fully criminalizes abortion, it doesn’t penalize doctors who try to save the life of both the fetus and the mother.

"Is there an imminent danger? We must do what needs to be done. And what needs do be done, abortion? No, fight scientifically to save two lives, if you cannot, and the creature dies, that doctor is not going to jail."

The letter from Dominican Republic’s Catholic bishops comes in response to a missive by the pro-choice NGO Profamilia, asking Medina to veto the new Penal Code.