The Vatican has published an appeal comdemning female genital mutilation (FGM) and emphasising the importance of offering alternative initiation rituals for young girls in regions where FGM is practices.

The condemnation of FGM was presented to Pope Benedict XVI on October 24th. It was issued by the Synod of Bishops for Africa and initiated by a bishop from Tanzania, who observed the persistent practice of FGM in his diocese. The bishop pointed out the importance of replacing FGM with other, non-harmful ways of marking the passage to womanhood, arguing that “Women are born with certain body parts for good reason, just as men are. If God wanted those parts missing, why did he create them?”

Source: Catholic News Service