9-Year-Old Brazilian Girl, Raped by Stepfather, Aborts Twins

By Mariela Rosario | 03/05/2009 - 15:45 | 9 Comments

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A Brazilian 9 year-old, who was raped and impregnated by her 23-year-old stepfather, was given permission to abort the twins she was carrying, angering Catholic officials. Although abortion is illegal in Brazil, exceptions are made in cases where the mother's life is in danger or the fetus has no chance of survival.

"We don't know if she will develop the pregnancy up to the end because of the structure of her body. It is a big risk for her," Jose Severiano Cavalcanti, the doctor who confirmed her pregnancy, told the Diario de Pernambuco.

"She doesn't have a pelvis able to support a gestation of twins," he continued.

The case has shocked Brazil. According to police accounts, the girl's stepfather began abusing her when she was six, paying her one Brazilian real (about 50 cents) for each sexual interaction. He has been in custody since last week.

Brazil is home to more Catholics than any other country in the world and authorities from the church have condemned the abortion. Marcio Miranda, a lawyer for the Archdiocese of Olinda and Recife, said the girl should have carried the twins to term and had a cesarean section. "It's the law of God: Do not kill. We consider this murder," Miranda told O Globo.

The little girl is currently is being cared for by a medical and psychological team in the Maternal-Child Institude in Recife, close to her hometown of Alagoinha in Pernambuco state.

Tell us: Do you agree with the Archdiocese? Or do you think the church was wrong for condemning the little girl's abortion?

Hola Salsadiva, I agree w/you. The Catholic Church w/their own distortion of God's Word, by deferring to Canon/Cathechismal Law, rather than Biblical has no need to condemn a hurting child. The R.C. needs to punish it's own rapists who rape while serving as earthly reps of Christ............Anathema, + put those already known to be rapists behind bars. As far as Brazilian "Catholicism".......it is often a mixture of cultic beliefs, idol worship etc.. As far as the guilt ridden gentleman referring to his wife + their personal choice to terminate, he need not put their mistake at the forefront of the decision of a 9 year old girl who has been raped repeatedly, + who's body cannot support a pregnancy, esp., of twins. She could die. Our guilt ridden friend needs to leave his families decision at The Cross, get some help + go on w/his life. Cuidate.

- Stregabella on March 08 2009 ·

go on with my life that was thirty five years past and seven children later. Ive made my peace with GOD have you. the church did not condem her just point out what is the right thing to do concerning life. at least try not just say nope cant do this and throw it in the trash. if we treat life like this one day we may all be deemed trash. hell why not turn our prisons into slave factories so we dont have to kill them. you know all those child rapping idol worshiping peagon priest. FACT 1939 Pisco Peru Lina Medina gave birth to a 6 pound baby boy by cesarean she was only FIVE years 8 months old at the time. Then went on to marry and have another child. look it up. would have could have should have all talk but can you do the walk i have. not perfect but still walking. no free rides its pay as you go. at the end of the road you cannot say no one told me or i did not see the signs. i made up my own rules its a free country right i have the right to choose its my body. what about the unborn childs rights its the childs body and life you kill. FITHTY million baby girls and boys later in the united state alone. Hay do a little dance sing a little song get down tonight right dont worry any problems just abort cut your losses. while im at it i should by stock in plan parent hood. i bet thier stocks are doing just fine. thanks but no thanks on the self help class i know were im going and how to get there. Cuidate.

- manuel on March 09 2009 ·

Sounds as if charges should be brouht against the step father for raping a minor. He would get 30 years if here was in the United States. How much time will the step father do there? bonificio@sbcglobal.net

- castroville on March 07 2009 ·

only god decides who lives and dies not me not you not the goverment or the holy church. it is gods law not to kill and we must up hold it. who are we to say what kind of cross this child has as a burden that she cannot handle with the support of her family church or those around her. that this could turn into a blessing insead of a burden from god its all on how we handle it that determines the outcome. god only permits evil in the world so that a greater good is the outcome. life is the most gauarded and cherished thing to god our lives. my wife had abortion and i regret it to this day the child i will nerver hold or play with to teach my way to see our lord. its hard this life he gave us but the crosses we face in this life are worth what awaits in heaven. the holy church is bond by gods law to uphold his law not play a popularity contest with life.

- manuel on March 07 2009 ·

Christ almighty. What a disturbing story. Not only that her stepfather would abuse her, pay her for it, and then get her pregnant, but that the Catholic church has the temerity to suggest that a 9-year-old girl who isn't even fully developed herself carry twins and ruin her life even more than that bast@#d ruined it. I hope she gets serious psychological help she needs to be as normal and healthy a person as possible at this point.

- DeeMoney on March 06 2009 ·

I think that was the right choice for the girl. how can she carry twins for 9 months- that's alot of work and too much for a young girl. Imagine what she has already gone thru.

- sexysanchez on March 06 2009 ·

wtf. that's all i can really say.

- Dolce on March 05 2009 ·

I consider myself to be pro-life, I believe that abortion should be illegal in America. However, in this case, I cannot imagine any other outcome would have worked for this little girl. Before the old men of the diocese judge her or others, they need to put themselves in their shoes.

- jesgar527 on March 05 2009 ·

I think that before the good men of the Archdiocese have the right to opine on this case, they should first be willing to subject themselves to being raped and having to deliver twins which might kill them in the process! The injustices perpetrated in the name of God continue to astonish me. This is not about God's wishes, this is about abuse and power.

- salsadiva914 on March 05 2009 ·

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