Dhaka (AsiaNews) - One of the most pressing pastoral activities for the Sisters of Mother Teresa in Bangladesh is to oppose abortion by supporting single mothers in the Asian country, as well as teaching them about the value of family and the culture of life.
Each month in fact, the Missionaries of Charity welcome hundreds of young women who became pregnant because of rapes or illicit relations. Many feel bewildered and think that abortion is the only solution to their "problem".
With this in mind, the nuns of Luxmibazar Parish in the capital Dhaka organised a workshop last Friday to address the issue, an event attended by some 200 people, including Christians, Muslims and Hindus.
The Catholic parish has more than 6,000 members, 95 per cent of whom moved from other dioceses to work in the city's industrial area.
"Day after day the number of families in crisis increases, especially among migrant workers," said Sister Maria Cor, who organised the seminar. "Many of them are involved in abortions, illicit sexual relations and separations."
Girls and young women are the first victims. The Sisters of Mother Teresa welcome them to their facilities, providing moral and psychological support to help them continue their pregnancy.
Men too benefit from the service provided by the Mission, and not just Catholic men. This is the case of Miraj, a Muslim man.
"No one ever talked to me about sexuality, its value and its importance in family life," he told AsiaNews.
"Thanks to the sisters, I learnt that I have to listen to my wife, as well as respect and understand her needs."