In a firm reiteration of their stance, Catholic bishops within the European Union have vocally opposed the proposal to declare abortion a "fundamental" right. This announcement came just days before a pivotal vote in the European Parliament, scheduled for April 11, which could potentially amend the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights to encompass a clause on the "right to abortion."
The proposed amendment aims to assert "the right to bodily autonomy, to free, informed, full, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including access to safe and legal abortion," a move that has sparked considerable debate across the member states. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), a prominent voice for Catholic values in Europe, has criticized the draft resolution, suggesting that it runs counter to the promotion of women's rights and maternal support.
COMECE's stance emphasizes a vision for Europe that supports women in embracing motherhood freely and without it being a hindrance to their personal, social, and professional aspirations. The bishops argue that facilitating and promoting abortion undermines these goals, stressing instead the importance of life from conception as a cornerstone of human rights.
The statement from the bishops also highlights the divisive nature of incorporating such a right into the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, pointing out that unanimity among member states is a prerequisite for any amendment to the charter. They underscore the church's long-standing doctrine that places the right to life at the heart of all human rights considerations, including the rights of the unborn, migrants, the elderly, those with disabilities, and the sick.
The move to enshrine abortion rights within the EU's legal framework has been a subject of intense debate for years, with activists pushing for broader abortion rights across the continent. This contrasts sharply with the legal landscapes of many EU member countries, where abortion is subject to more stringent restrictions compared to some jurisdictions in the United States.
In light of recent developments, such as France's constitutional amendment to recognize a "right to abortion," the discussion within the EU appears more pressing than ever. French President Emmanuel Macron's previous call for the EU to incorporate abortion rights into its legal canon, citing it as a revitalization of the bloc's rights framework, has also reignited discourse on the matter. However, COMECE's recent statements reflect a continued and deep-seated opposition to such measures, emphasizing the fundamental nature of the right to life and its precedence over the proposed right to abortion.