Church ‘will not abandon pregnant women and their unborn children’ as MPs vote to decriminalise abortion

Catholic bishops are ‘deeply alarmed’ by this evening’s vote in the House of Commons to decriminalise abortion, said Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington.

Speaking after MPs passed an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that effectively decriminalises abortion in England and Wales, Archbishop Sherrington added, “Our alarm arises from our compassion for both mothers and unborn babies.”  

The amendment, in a clause tabled by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, was approved in a free vote by MPs by 379 to 137. It 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. Women will be even more vulnerable to manipulation, coerced and forced abortions. This legal change will also discourage medical consultation and make the use of abortion pills for dangerous late-term, at-home abortions more likely,” said Archbishop Sherrington.

Abortion is often chosen because of the personal challenges that a woman faces, as well as the lack of proper suitable guidance and support, he added. This change will result in women being more alone, vulnerable, and isolated, he warned.  

“However, we cannot lose hope. 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.”

Alithea Williams of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said, “We are horrified that MPs have voted for this extreme and barbaric proposal. If this clause becomes law, a woman who aborts her baby at any point in pregnancy, even moments before birth, would not be committing a criminal offence. In fact, by dismissing the Infant Life Preservation Act intended to provide legal protection to a child during birth, a woman who killed her baby during delivery would not be committing an offence.”

The change was made after a few hours debate, with little notice. Williams said it was not in the Government’s manifesto and does not reflect public opinion. The legislation still needs to complete its progress through both the Commons and the Lords before the law is changed.

Caroline Ansell, director of advocacy and policy at social policy charity CARE, said: “This outcome is truly heartbreaking.
Parliament has taken an extreme and retrograde step that will pave the way for more, harrowing late-term abortions. The decriminalisation of abortion will place women at greater risk of trauma and hospitalisation.

“We believe that both lives matter in every pregnancy. Just societies protect both mothers and babies and provide holistic support to enable their flourishing.”

She also criticised the lack of public consultation.

Lord Alton of Liverpool also spoke out against the change. He said: “This hasty change will have profound implications for the way that longstanding law in this country will operate. We know that there are potential real risks for the safety of women in particular who will be encouraged towards DIY abortions. I expect that colleagues in the House of Lords will wish to scrutinise its provisions very closely and to amend it as necessary to make it safe.”

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