Dogma trumps compassion in Brazil

A 9-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her stepfather and carrying twins has had an abortion in Brazil, despite objections by the Catholic Church. Abortion is illegal in Brazil, which is home to more Catholics than any nation. But exceptions are made if the mother is in danger or if the fetus has no chance of survival. Matima Maia, director of the hospital where the abortion was performed, said the 15-week-old pregnancy posed a serious risk to the 80-pound girl. "She is very small. Her uterus doesn’t have the ability to hold one, let alone two children," he told the Jornal do Brasil newspaper. A lawyer for the local archdiocese  argued the girl should have carried babies to term and had a cesarean section.

MSNBC