Norway bishops issue warn that expanding abortion would be unjust

Norway’s Council of Catholic Bishops has issued a warning ahead of a proposal currently being considered by the country’s lawmakers that would expand abortions.

Currently, Norway’s law allows abortion until 12 weeks of pregnancy. A special abortion council commissioned by the government has recommended that the restriction be pushed to allow abortion through 18 weeks in most cases, and even later in certain circumstances.

It its letter to the Norway’s Ministry of Health and Care, the bishops’ council highlights why it believes changing the abortion law would be “highly problematic.”

“The law proposal cancels the fetus as a subject entitled to rights,” the bishops wrote.

“The consideration of abortion has, in the strict sense of this word, a tragic dimension,” they continued. “In every case an accomplished abortion is an occasion for grief, a loss to the community. Only on this basis, such is our conviction, can our society rightly consider the welfare of all parties concerned in a way that is responsible and rational.”

The bishops also noted the disparity that exists in the worldview where many celebrate the life in the womb if it is wanted, yet are willing to dispose of that life if it is viewed as a burden.

“On the whole the law proposal obscures our understanding of what is, and is not, a human life… We are able, at one and the same time, to regard an 18-week-old fetus as a nonperson and as a beloved baby displaying characteristic personality,” they noted. “The criterion of difference in discernment is the degree to which the baby is wanted.”

They also underscored the inconsistency with allowing abortions even later if the fetus has a medical diagnosis, saying “Once again the law proposal establishes ambiguity regarding the integrity of life, eliminating objective criteria by which to defend the right of the defenseless.”

They concluded in calling the for a rejection of the proposal and a greater defense for life in the womb.

“The proposal to extend the term of free abortion by six weeks contributes to an erosion of legislation’s chief task: to protect the integrity of individual persons on the basis of a principle of justice, also when the individual person is powerless, without an ability to speak for her or himself,” they wrote. “On these grounds we ask that the law proposal be rejected.”

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