Church in Poland defends the right of doctors to refuse to perform abortions

The Polish Episcopal Conference reaffirmed its rejection of pressure to legalize abortion and defended the right of health professionals to refuse to carry out the “murder of children in the womb.”

The position of the Polish Episcopate has been expressed in a statement published yesterday, at the end of its 398th Plenary Assembly, which is in line with the letter on the protection of life that will be read next Sunday in all churches.

“In the face of growing pressure in the public space and in government actions to change the legal protection of human life towards the legalization of the murder of children in the womb, the bishops recall the unequivocal and immutable position of the Church on the matter,” points out the notice.

Likewise, it indicates that “any form of deliberate annihilation of human life, including that of an unborn child, is incompatible with natural law and the Catholic faith.” In that sense, he expresses that the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” is “a fundamental human principle that should guide every person of right conscience.”

Therefore, the bishops “make a strong appeal to the conscience not only of believers, but of all people of good will, to firmly oppose attempts to legalize abortion and to act decisively to promote the protection of life”.

“Human life is a supreme value. Therefore, no one, in the name of personal freedom, has the right to decide about the life of another human being. Nor should doctors, medical personnel and pharmacists be forced to kill children in the prenatal period, or the elderly and sick, thus violating their right to retain their conscience clause,” they reaffirm.

The Polish Episcopate thanks mothers and fathers “who serve life with love and protect their children even in the most difficult situations”, as they give “witness that the joy, beauty and greatness of maternal and paternal love are “They express unwavering concern for the well-being of children, regardless of the circumstances.”

In this sense, they recalled that “the Church offers all possible help and support and applies concrete actions to protect all children from any form of violence.”

The statement indicates that during the plenary assembly “the challenges of catechesis in parishes and religious education in schools” were also addressed.

On the second point, the bishops point out that “due to dynamic social changes, religious lessons in schools should receive a stronger cultural, educational, social and historical dimension.”

Also highlighted is “the importance of a broad and deep preparation of young people for the sacrament of marriage.” “In this context,” he adds, “the ongoing pilgrimage in the dioceses of Poland of the relics of Blesseds Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, together with their seven children, is a unique opportunity to pray together for the families and for those who are preparing to marriage”.

Finally, the Episcopate reports that “preparatory work for the appointment of a commission of independent experts to investigate the phenomenon of sexual abuse in the Church in Poland” is being completed.

“Final and binding decisions will be made at the autumn plenary meetings of both the Polish Episcopal Conference and the conferences of the major superiors of the male and female religious orders, who are also involved in this work,” the statement explains, and states that in this way “the Church joins the efforts of society to create safe environments free of all forms of violence.”