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Vatican stands firm on social issues like sex change and surrogacy

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The Vatican, led by Pope Francis, has reaffirmed its strong opposition to various issues including sex changes, gender theory, surrogate parenthood, abortion, and euthanasia in a document named “Dignitas Infinita” (Infinite Dignity). Alongside these, it also highlights concerns regarding poverty, migration, and human trafficking, seeing them as threats to human dignity.

Criticism towards Pope Francis comes from both conservative and liberal factions within the Catholic Church. While some conservatives accuse him of straying too far from traditional teachings, liberals argue that he hasn’t pushed the Church enough towards evolution on these matters.

In 2023, Pope Francis made statements allowing transgender individuals to be baptized in the Catholic Church under certain conditions and permitted priests to bless same-sex couples in specific circumstances, though maintaining the traditional view of marriage. He also tasked Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, a close associate, with examining modern societal challenges.

Cardinal Fernández faced backlash for a book he authored in the late 1990s, which delved into human sexuality in detail. Despite these controversies, Pope Francis has shown openness on certain issues like same-sex unions and women’s roles in the Church.

However, the Pope remains steadfast in his opposition to surrogacy and gender theory, condemning them as morally wrong. The recent declaration, Dignitas Infinita, denounces abortion as a severe moral crisis and surrogacy as harmful to both women and children, emphasizing the sanctity of one’s birth sex.

Pope Francis’s stance underscores the complexity of his beliefs, defying simple labels of “progressive” or “conservative.” Despite his advanced age, as indicated in his autobiography, he has no plans to retire and intends to continue serving as Pope indefinitely.

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Russian dog-lovers fight to save strays from cull in Siberia’s Ulan-Ude

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Dog lovers in Russia’s Far East are rallying to save hundreds of stray dogs facing euthanasia by local authorities. Ulan-Ude, a town in Eastern Siberia near the Mongolian border, has already culled 18 dogs, prompting urgent efforts to relocate 600 dogs to new homes or shelters within Russia. Volunteers are traveling by train to cities like Moscow, St Petersburg, Kazan, Khabarovsk, and Vladivostok to ensure these dogs escape the grim fate of being put down. The severe winter weather, with temperatures as low as -20°C, adds urgency to the rescue mission.

The decision to euthanize strays in Ulan-Ude reflects a broader issue in Russia’s republic of Buryatia. In 2020, a national law aimed to address the problem by implementing humane practices such as catching, sterilizing, vaccinating, and releasing stray dogs. However, concerns about potential attacks led to the rollback of the law in Buryatia, reviving the controversial practice of culling. The root cause, according to activists, lies in neglect, with dogs being abandoned or discarded by owners.

Local laws in Buryatia lack accountability for irresponsible pet ownership, contributing to an ongoing cycle of stray dogs. Activists argue that, despite the culling efforts, more dogs will continue to populate the streets due to this neglectful behavior. While hundreds of dogs have been saved, the financial burden of rescue efforts is significant, with each dog’s journey to safety costing approximately 5,000 roubles (£44; $55). Generous financial support and volunteers willing to cover the costs have played a crucial role in the success of the rescue mission.

Despite the successful relocation of many dogs, challenges persist, leaving some with uncertain fates. Animal welfare volunteer Stella Ovsoyan highlights the emotional toll of having to choose which dogs to send to safety, emphasizing the difficulty of the situation. However, the hope of providing a new and improved life for these dogs keeps volunteers committed to their mission, even in the face of adversity.

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Belgium Euthanasia Case: Accused Doctors Acquitted

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In a historic judgement, at least three doctors, who faced a criminal charge for the improper handling of a case of euthanasia, have been acquitted on the ground that the prosecution has failed to prove beyond the scope of doubt the case filed against the doctors.

The testimony of the family members of the woman who was helped by end her life by the doctors that their beloved’s death was improperly handled by the doctors approached to carry out the procedure has failed to make much impact in the final verdict of the court.

It was in the year 2002 the controversial euthanasia law was implemented in the European country of Belgium.

Since the year 2002, several controversial cases have emerged in connection with the controversial law.

The case that has finally closed with the acquittal of the doctors is the first euthanasia case that has gone through the court procedure.

The latest judgement is a landmark judgement. The verdict may alter the current that flows against the controversial euthanasia law.

Anyway, the demand for more clarity in the euthanasia law cannot be ignored completely. The country should address the crisis at the earliest, if it wishes to make the law less complicated.


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