Cooperation with evil can never be justified by invoking respect for the freedom of others

Encontram-se neste momento a ser votados na Assembleia da República os projectos-lei sobre o aborto.

Hoje à hora do almoço, os movimentos pró-vida organizaram uma manifestação em frente do Palácio de S. Bento, na qual eu estive presente [!].

A propósito de S. Bento, há alguns meses atrás, o Cardeal Ratzinger enviou uma carta aos Bispos Americanos na qual se pode ler o seguinte:

In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to ´take part in a propoganda campaign in favour of such a law or vote for it´" (no. 73). Christians have a "grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God´s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil. [...] This cooperation can never be justified either by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits it or requires it" (no. 74).