The Dominican Conference of Catholic Bishops warned about the consequences that the Criminal Code being discussed in Congress could have. The projected code de-criminalizes abortion under certain circumstances, something the bishops believe is an attack on human life. They oppose any action against life, even in the case of involuntary pregnancy, as could be the result of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk. In a letter signed by all Catholic bishops and Cardinal Lopez Rodriguez, they say that it seems this modern code “attributes the right to kill an innocent and defenseless being”. They say that rape should not be considered sufficient reason to interrupt pregnancies because abortion, whatever the cause, produces psychological effects that are difficult to cure. The de-criminalization of abortion is being promoted by a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), according to the letter. The bishops consider that the position of the NGOs is a “new type of dependence and colonialism, not precisely globalization or modernism” and suggest that this sort of dependence must be restrained proclaiming “our own rights to a free nation”.