Affluence threatens pro-life values, says pope

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2006

VATICAN CITY (AFP) — Pope Benedict XVI hit out at the hedonism of affluent society for weakening Christian pro-life values in a strong condemnation of abortion and euthanasia.

Benedict told thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square for his weekly angelus blessing that life was often "extolled for as long as it is pleasurable, but tends not to be respected anymore when it is sick or disabled."

"Every human life, as it is, deserves and demands to always be defended and promoted," the pope said on the day the Catholic Church celebrates annually as a "Day of Life".

"We well know that this truth often risks being contradicted from the widespread hedonism in the so called affluent society (in which) life is extolled as long as it is pleasurable, but...