Pope Francis praises Italy's leading abortion rights proponent, draws flak from church traditionalists, pro-life advocates

Pope Francis (left) has compared former Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino (right), who is an abortion rights activist, to great historical figures such as Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman. Reuters/Wikipedia

Pope Francis shocked church traditionalists and pro-life advocates after he recently praised a leading abortion rights advocate and even dubbed her as one of Italy's "forgotten greats.''

The pontiff made the statement during an interview last Feb. 8 with Corriere Della Serra, where he compared former Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino to great historical figures such as Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman.

Pope Francis acknowledged that his statements were "controversial'' but dismissed them, saying, "True, but never mind. We have to look at people, at what they do.''

However, some church officials criticised the pope for issuing such a statement.

"How can the pope praise a woman that is best known in Italy for practicing illegal abortion and promoting abortion?" said Msgr. Ignacio Barreiro, who was until last year the head of the Rome office of Human Life International, LifeSite News reported.

Luca Volonte, an Italian politician and president of the pro-life Novae Terrae Foundation, also told LifeSite News that he believed the pope "was not really informed about how much Mrs. Bonino has done in Italy and at the international level to promote abortion and euthanasia."

Even though he admitted that "she did well in Egypt," Volante said even there "she promoted her anti-life values."

"The pope was wrong and worse were the members of his secretariat for not informing him," he said.

Bonino has been known for decades as Italy's most outspoken abortion rights activist.

At 27, she had an illegal abortion and then worked with the Information Centre on Sterilisation and Abortion which boasted over 10,000 abortions. There are famous photos of Bonino performing illegal abortions using a homemade device operated by a bicycle pump. Arrested for the then-illegal activity, she spent a few days in jail, was acquitted and then entered politics, according to reports.

In 2013 when was she was appointed Italy's foreign minister, there was reportedly a general outcry from life and family leaders at the ''appalling situation.''

related articles
Republican bets back up Trump in dispute with Pope Francis on immigration policy
Republican bets back up Trump in dispute with Pope Francis on immigration policy

Republican bets back up Trump in dispute with Pope Francis on immigration policy

Pope agrees to contraception in emergency cases like preventing Zika virus infection, Vatican confirms
Pope agrees to contraception in emergency cases like preventing Zika virus infection, Vatican confirms

Pope agrees to contraception in emergency cases like preventing Zika virus infection, Vatican confirms

Pope Francis is a socialist like me, says Bernie Sanders

Pope Francis is a socialist like me, says Bernie Sanders

Pope Francis slams fake Christians who do not practice what they preach and turn their backs on the needy
Pope Francis slams fake Christians who do not practice what they preach and turn their backs on the needy

Pope Francis slams fake Christians who do not practice what they preach and turn their backs on the needy

Vatican cookbook dishes on food and life inside Vatican City
Vatican cookbook dishes on food and life inside Vatican City

Vatican cookbook dishes on food and life inside Vatican City

Philippine Catholic Church may re-evaluate contraceptive stance after Pope Francis says \'avoiding pregnancy not absolute evil\'
Philippine Catholic Church may re-evaluate contraceptive stance after Pope Francis says 'avoiding pregnancy not absolute evil'

Philippine Catholic Church may re-evaluate contraceptive stance after Pope Francis says 'avoiding pregnancy not absolute evil'

News
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 
The woeful ignorance of Justin Welby - Part Two 

Polyamory and open marriages are the next frontier for progressives. Yet the Church seems to be sleeping at the wheel.

Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt
Christian family expelled from Indian village after forced conversion attempt

Chhattisgarh is increasingly becoming a concerning place for Christians

Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home
Ugandan Christian convert killed by Muslim relatives while praying at home

A 37-year-old Christian convert in eastern Uganda was killed by members of his own family on Friday 18 July after they forced their way into his home and found him praying in the name of Jesus, according to local sources.

The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating
The Bible and food: why it's so much more than eating

Eating - and eating together - is never a side note in the biblical story. It is one of the ways God forms community, renews covenant, and reveals Himself.