The Bishop's Conference Statement

This Autumn will see the final stages of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill in Parliament.There is a real possibility the law will be changed to make access to abortion easier.The Bishops of England and Wales are offering the following guidance on the issue and what you can do.

CHERISHING LIFE.
The Church teaches clearly that every human life must be respected and protected from conception.The first victim of abortion is the unborn child.The woman is also a victim for she loses her child but is unable to grieve effectively.The Church does nor doubt it was a a painful and shattering decision(the Gospel of Life paragraph 99).There maybe a financial or other pressure so strong that a woman 'feels psychologically forced to have an abortion' (the Gospel of Life paragraph 59).It is important to find practical ways of supporting women so they are not rushed into making harmful choices but are helped to make life affirming choices.

WHAT IS THE LAW AT PRESENT?
The Abortion Act 1967 as amended in 1990 allows abortion up to 24 weeks if two doctors certify that the risk of injury to the physical or mental health to the mother or her other children are less with abortion than with childbirth.If there is a substantial risk that the child is disabled then abortion is allowed up to birth.The abortion must be carried out by a doctor and in a hospital or premises specifically approved by the Secretary of State.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ACT NOW?
For only the second time since 1967 the government is sponsoring a bill which will allow amendments on abortion.Last time it happened was in 1990,the law on abortion changed significantly and it could change again now.Attempts have already been made to use the bill to change abortion law,so far without success.MP's have tabled a further 23 amendments.Any or all these could be voted on next month.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AMEMDMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN TABLED?
To remove the mental health clause and allow abortions up to 24 weeks
To remove the need for two doctors to authorise abortion.
To allow nurses and midwives to perform abortion,even late surgical abortion.
To permit abortions to be carried out anywhere that health services were offered.
To allow abortion drugs to be taken at home without medical supervision.
To extend abortion laws to Northern Ireland.
And some positive amendments to ensure women have access to counselling.

HOW REAL ARE THE DANGERS
These amendments have been tabled.They may be debated and incorporated into the Bill.If conscientious people do not act there is a very real danger that the law on abortion will become even worse than it is now.

EXTREME PROPOSALS
The Abortion Act 1967 was introduced to solve the problem of back street abortions as an exception in difficult cases.These proposals in permitting abortions on demand without any health related justification,remove any vestige of protection for the unborn child.Women are also abandoned.Not all abortions are requested by mature women who know exactly what they want.Mont are requested by young and vulnerable women under intense pressure and often in isolation.These proposals could lead to girls as young as 14 taking abortion pills at home,alone,without any medical supervision.There would be no need for a doctor's involvement as the doctor could certify without seeing the girl and a nurse could dispense the pills.

WHAT ARE THE ARGUMENTS OF THOSE WHO WISH TO SEE ABORTIONS MADE EASIER.
Their argument is that by making abortions easier and quicker they are helping women.They allege that the current system causes delays.

WHAT ARE THE COUNTER ARGUMENTS.
There is no evidence that the current law causes significant delays to women seeking abortion.In fact according to government statistics 70 per cent of abortions were carried out before nine weeks and 90 per cent before thirteen weeks gestation.Over the past 10 years the percentage of early abortions has steadily increased.Abortion at whatever stage of pregnancy is a very serious decision and not one women should be rushed into.The system should provide a breathing space,access to counselling and information about alternatives,so that no woman feels forced to choose abortion.The requirement for a health related justification: for two doctors to sign:for a doctor to perform the operation:and for it to be done in hospital reflect the seriousness of abortion.Removing these requirements leave women and unborn babies in great danger.We should be taking abortion more seriously not less seriously.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
It is important that as many people as possible write urgently to their MP.If you have time you could also write to the Prime Minister.

WHO IS MY MP AND HOW CAN I MAKE CONTACT.
You can find the name of your MP online at www.parliament.uk/people/index.cfm
or from the House of Commons Information Office 020 7219 4272.
You can write to your MP at the House of Commons.London SW1A 0AA or e-mail through www.writetothem.com

WHAT SHOULD I WTITE?
Letters are most effective when they are written in your own words and express what you are most concerned about.For example,if you were a nurse,say so and say if and why you would not like nurses to do abortions.Most of these amendments would make abortions more widespread,would lead to women having less time to think before abortion and leave women alone at home without medical supervision.They would also remove the last vestige of protection for the unborn child.How do you feel about this?.

Pray because it all depends on God but work as though it all depends on us.
Further information can be obtained from www.catholicchurch.org.uk

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