Some people have suggested resorting to abortion and contraception in response to the Zika outbreak. Fr David Garcia looks at the issues.



Women in the early stages of pregnancy, infected with the Zika virus, seem to have a higher number of microencephalic births. I will not concern myself with the facts of the disease but only with the ethical problems that it has stirred, for some have suggested that abortion and contraception should be measures that help to curb the incidence of microencephalic infants, apparently caused by this virus.

For them, it makes sense to use contraceptive measures to avoid a risky pregnancy or even to eliminate the child in the womb to “spare him or her” or perhaps his parents from a life of “suffering”.
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From Vision to Reality

In four concrete steps, every Catholic in Singapore can play a role in realising the vision of the Archdiocese



When Archbishop William Goh assumed office in 2013, he called for a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church in Singapore.

Several priests, religious and lay leaders within the archdiocese responded to his call by stepping up to develop a 10-year pastoral plan to realise the vision.

“It is the desire of our Lord that all of humanity would become one family of God, and what the Lord desires is what we also dream for our Church, country, and the whole of humanity,” Archbishop William said.
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Vision 2023: What it Takes to Build a More Vibrant and Evangelistic Church

Catholic Foundation takes on the task of raising funds to make the Archdiocese’s vision a reality.


Guests interact with one another at the Archbishop’s Residence, where the Catholic Foundation held a fundraising dinner hosted by Archbishop William Goh in 2015.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” (Mt 9:37).

Jesus’ words ring true till today, nearly three years since the Archdiocese of Singapore established a new pastoral vision.

Much has been accomplished on the journey to realising its vision to be a more vibrant, missionary and evangelistic Church in Singapore. But one obstacle continues to prove difficult: resources are, quite simply, scarce.
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Fr Francis Vijayan, ordained on Sept 8, shares with CatholicNews his journey to the priesthood


Fr Francis Vijayan seen here having just given communion to his mother, Rosilin Vilasini, at his ordination Mass. Also in the picture are his father, Anthony Mohan (right), and his sister, Bernadette Vidya.

“I learned to love what they are about, their love for preaching and ministering as a community,” said Fr Francis Vijayan when asked why he decided to be a Redemptorist priest.

“The community allows me to better reach out to the peripheries, to bring the Church to people,” the 33-year-old told CatholicNews.

Fr Francis was ordained at the Church of St Teresa on Sept 8.
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