The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales condemned the June 17 passage of an amendment that decriminalizes abortion up until birth.
“Today, Parliament passed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, that effectively decriminalises abortion in England and Wales. We are deeply alarmed by this decision. Our alarm arises from our compassion for both mothers and unborn babies," said the statement from Archbishop John Sherrington, the lead bishop for life issues for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
Sherrington is the metropolitan archbishop of Liverpool.
The amendment, he said, "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," he said, and would leave women "more vulnerable to manipulation, coerced and forced abortions."
Previously, abortion was legal in England and Wales up until the 24th week of a pregnancy, with exceptions for physical and mental health concerns. This amendment is the largest change in abortion law in England and Wales in decades.
Additionally, "this legal change will also discourage medical consultation and make the use of abortion pills for dangerous late-term, at-home abortions more likely."
Women will be "more alone, vulnerable and isolated" by the decriminalization of abortion throughout the entirety of a pregnancy, said Archbishop Sherrington.
Despite Parliament's approval of the amendment, "we cannot lose hope," he said.
"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. I thank all those within and outside the Church who share this commitment and continue to serve parents in need and their babies," said Archbishop Sherrington.
“Let us continue to pray and commend the lives of these women, children, their families, and all who support them to the maternal intercession of Our Lady, Mother of God.”
