Britain’s House of Lords voted on Wednesday to decriminalise abortion at any point in pregnancy and not to reinstate compulsory in-person medical consultations for women seeking to take abortion pills at home. Source: The Tablet.
The Lords rejected an amendment to remove clause 208, which would decriminalise abortion up to birth, from the Crime and Policing Bill by 185 to 148 votes.
Although the clause does not change the 24-week abortion limit, it decriminalises “a woman acting in relation to her own pregnancy” at any stage in pregnancy, so that those who end their pregnancy at home after the limit would not face charges.
Liverpool Archbishop John Sherrington, the lead Catholic bishop for life issues, said in a statement that he was “deeply distressed” by the decision.
“The clause decriminalises on-demand abortion up to birth in England and Wales in some circumstances. This move is likely to lead to more late-term abortions, putting pregnant women and their babies at risk.
“Many women could likely also face even greater risks of isolation, coercion, and pressure.
“I also recognise the many organisations who accompany women with practical support when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. I encourage the faithful to support them in practical ways, including through prayer.”
Baroness Monckton, who moved an amendment to remove clause 208, said in the debate: “Removing the offence of a woman terminating her own pregnancy, even at full term, removes the few remaining legal protections for unborn children.
“I am sure that the proposers of clause 208 genuinely believe that they will thereby create a kinder and more civilised society, but I fear that the consequences, if this is passed, will be precisely the opposite.”
The Lords also rejected an amendment to reinstate the requirement for women to have in-person consultations before taking abortion pills at home, by 191 to 119 votes.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, paused her walking pilgrimage to Canterbury to vote in support of Baroness Stroud and Baroness Monckton’s amendments.
She said in the debate, “The Church of England’s view on abortion is one of principled opposition, recognising that there can be limited conditions under which abortion may be preferable to any available alternatives.”
FULL STORY
Lords vote to keep ‘dangerous’ at-home abortion pill service and decriminalise late-term abortions (By Aili Winstanley Channer, The Tablet)
