Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Episode 4: The best decision
My daughter Nina was ***. She is only 12 years old, Father, and she got pregnant…
— The Lord has given you a difficult test of faith, Teresita.
We filed a report with the Public Prosecutor’s Office but they did not believe us
because they said that my daughter did not have any bruising.
What do you mean they didn’t believe you? — They also refused to give her emergency contraception
and now Nina is four weeks pregnant.
— My God, Teresita, do you want Nina to have an abortion?
At the Public Prosecutor’s Office they told me that if Nina did so that would constitute a crime.
How can they say that, if abortion in the event of *** is legal throughout the country?
— Listen to me, Teresita, Nina must not have an abortion for any reason.
— But Father, a doctor told me that my daughter's body is not yet ready for a pregnancy.
— What an immoral doctor! Abortion is not acceptable under any circumstance.
If there has been a crime, you must not add another one.
— Do you think it’s fair that my daughter could be condemned, while the man who *** her walks free?
— Do you think it’s fair to kill an innocent being? Instead, you should ask for the death penalty for the ***.
Health complications and material difficulties must never lead a woman to *** a conceived life.
You listen to me, Teresita!
— What happened, Teresita? Are you alright?
I was confessing to Father Beto, and he told me some terrible things…
What did he tell you?
— It’s about my daughter, Nina. — What happened to Nina?
15 minutes later…
— Teresita, it is Nina’s life that must be defended. She is the one in danger;
she is a human being with rights.
In this case, terminating the pregnancy is the best decision.
— But Father Beto said that would be an unforgivable sin.
— That’s not true.
To resolve conflicts of conscience, the Catholic tradition applies the criteria of the best decision.
When confronted with a serious dilemma, a person has the right to choose what he or she believes will cause the least harm,
without this constituting a moral failure.
Allowing a young girl to continue a pregnancy that is the result of a *** is a brutal violation of her integrity and dignity.
— Thank you Sister Juana, your words have brought comfort to my soul. Now I know what I have to do.
It is clear to me that obligating Nina to continue this pregnancy would be forcing her to act against herself.
— Remember, it’s for the best.
— If you support Nina in an abortion, you will be committing a serious sin,
and your conscience will never rest! Pray one hundred Our Fathers for your evil thoughts.
It’s a miracle to see her like this. Thank you for your help, Sister Juana.
— I am so glad that Nina has carried on with her life. By the way, are there any chipilín tamales?
— They’re Father Beto’s favorite. — Take him all of them.
— You are a good person, Teresita. —Well actually, I just prefer Father Beto with his mouth full.