Mexico Archdiocese: Abandoned or aborted babies must be buried, treated with dignity

The archdiocese said the bodies of deceased newborns and babies who die late in pregnancy are often “abandoned in public places, in hospitals, or even among the trash.”

The Primatial Archdiocese of Mexico called on authorities to establish legal mechanisms ensuring a proper burial for miscarried, aborted, or unclaimed deceased babies and to create suitable places for their interment.

In an editorial titled “Let no baby go without burial,” published on Aug. 16 in the archdiocesan publication Desde la Fe (From a Faith Perspective), the archdiocese stated that regardless of the circumstances of a babyʼs death, “the dignity with which we treat the body” must be upheld.

Death can occur “during pregnancy, at birth, or in the first days of life; it can result from illness, an unexpected complication, an abortion, or an act of violence,” the editorial noted.

The archdiocese said the bodies of deceased newborns and babies who die late in pregnancy are often “abandoned in public places, in hospitals, or even among the trash.”

In light of this situation, the archdiocese reiterated that “the human body, after death, must be treated with respect, due to its inherent human dignity.”

Unclaimed remains

The archdiocese explained that there are associations and apostolates in Mexico that have agreements with local authorities to “receive the bodies of babies who were miscarried, aborted, or went unclaimed, in order to provide them with a proper burial.”

The associations “do not seek to replace families or hinder judicial or healthcare investigations. Their valuable work is to care for those little ones that no one else is doing anything for,” the editorial stated.

The archdiocese called on the governing authorities to establish mechanisms that, “once all corresponding legal and forensic procedures have been completed, allow for the bodies or remains of unclaimed babies to be turned over to duly accredited institutions and associations prepared to provide them with burial.”

Places for remembrance and prayer

The Archdiocese of Mexico also said it is necessary to “have places specifically set aside for these little ones,” places where the remains of babies “whose families could not bury them or whose bodies were never claimed” could be laid to rest.

“Such a site could also become a place of remembrance, prayer, and comfort for the many mothers, fathers, and families who have endured a loss that they often carry with them in silence,” the archdiocese noted.

The editorial concluded by stating that every person “deserves respect and dignity,” regardless of how “brief their time on this world may have been” or how “difficult the circumstances of their death may have been.”

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.