_WORLD WATCH______________________________
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Moral roots of economic crisis
Official accepts Pope's admonition
The economic crisis in Argentina was the main topic of discussion when Pope John Paul II met with the country’s bishops, who were making their ad limina visit. Expressing his concern for the future of the country, the Pope insisted that the Catholic Church must work with the government to uncover and remedy the roots of the current problem.

The Pontiff praised the Argentine bishops for their “unflagging work” on behalf of the country’s people, and urged them not to be daunted by the trials of the nation. He said that they would play an important role in national recovery by promoting the principles of honesty, austerity, solidarity, and “the spirit of sacrifice.”

“The origin of this sad situation can be found in a deep moral crisis,” the Holy Father argued. He said that the bishops should lead the nation in an examination of conscience, to help root out the “egoism, corruption, and unfair distribution of goods” that have contributed to the economic collapse.

A ranking government official admitted that Pope John Paul II “is right” in his analysis. But the Vice-Minister of Finance, Jorge Todesca, suggested that the people of Argentina were ready to respond to the crisis. “The Holy Father is right in his perception of the gravity of our situation, but most Argentineans—and not only in the government—are determined to defend democracy against any threat,” he said. Todesca added that the Holy Father “can rest assured that we are not prepared to lose the precious gift of democracy.”

Surprise ban on “morning-after” pill
Pro-lifers delighted by court ruling
The Supreme Court of Argentina has ruled that the “morning-after” pill, marketed in South America under the trade name Imediat, may not be manufactured, distributed, or sold in Argentina because the pill acts as an abortifacient and therefore violates the constitutional protection of human life “from the moment of conception.”

The decision was the result of a court case brought by a Catholic home for unwed mothers, Portal de Belen (Stable of Bethlehem), which argued that the authorization previously given for the drug by the Ministry of Health was unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 ruling that came as a surprise to most political observers, the court agreed and ordered the ministry to suspend the authorization.

Jorge Scala, one of the lawyers who successfully argued the case, said that the decision sets the stage for the prohibition of similar abortifacient drugs. Dan Zeidler, representative for the Caracas-based Latin American Alliance for the Family, commented, “It is a great day for the unborn in Argentina.”