Catholic bishops in the European Union (EU) are speaking out against a proposed change to the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. They say that abortion should not be labelled as a “fundamental” right. This comes ahead of a vote on Thursday about whether to include a “right to abortion” in the charter.
The bishops, who are part of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), based in Brussels, believe that promoting abortion is not the same as promoting women’s rights. They argue that true empowerment of women means supporting their ability to embrace motherhood without obstacles. COMECE emphasizes that abortion should not be seen as a solution to challenges faced by women in society.
According to the bishops, the right to life is the foundation of all other rights, especially for the most vulnerable, including unborn children. They say that the Church has always taught this principle.
Changing the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights to include abortion would require agreement from all member states. This has been a topic of debate for a long time, with some advocating for broader abortion rights across Europe.
In Europe, laws on abortion vary among countries, with many restricting it after 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy and imposing other regulations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for abortion to be enshrined in EU law, but COMECE has expressed opposition to this idea. They emphasize that neither European nor international law recognizes a “right” to abortion.
Earlier this year, France became the first country in Europe to include a “right to abortion” in its constitution.
Source: CNA
