Catholic bishops are “deeply alarmed” by the British House of Commons vote yesterday to decriminalise abortion, Liverpool Archbishop John Sherrington said. Source: The Tablet.
Speaking after MPs passed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that effectively decriminalises abortion in England and Wales, the lead bishop for life issues for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said: “Our alarm arises from our compassion for both mothers and unborn babies.”
The amendment, in a clause tabled by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, was approved in a free vote by MPs by 379 to 137. It lifts any criminal liability for women performing their abortions for any reason, at any time, including up to and during birth.
“This decision significantly reduces the protection of unborn lives and will result in grave harm for pregnant women,” Archbishop Sherrington said.
“Women will be even more vulnerable to manipulation, coerced and forced abortions.
“This legal change will also discourage medical consultation and make the use of abortion pills for dangerous late-term, at-home abortions more likely.”
Abortion is often chosen because of the personal challenges that a woman faces, as well as the lack of proper suitable guidance and support, he added. This change will result in women being more alone, vulnerable, and isolated, he warned.
“However, we cannot lose hope. The Church keeps working tirelessly to protect the dignity of every life. We will not abandon pregnant women and their unborn children in their most vulnerable moment.”
Alithea Williams, of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, said: “We are horrified that MPs have voted for this extreme and barbaric proposal. If this clause becomes law, a woman who aborts her baby at any point in pregnancy, even moments before birth, would not be committing a criminal offence.
“In fact, by dismissing the Infant Life Preservation Act intended to provide legal protection to a child during birth, a woman who killed her baby during delivery would not be committing an offence.”
The change was made after a few hours’ debate, with little notice.
Ms Williams said it was not in the Government’s manifesto and does not reflect public opinion.
The legislation still needs to complete its progress through both the Commons and the Lords before the law is changed.
FULL STORY
Archbishop Sherrington pledges Church ‘will not abandon pregnant women and their unborn children’ as MPs vote to decriminalise abortion (By Ruth Gledhill, The Tablet)
