Defending the right to life

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is currently discussing a motion proposing, among other matters, the decriminalisation of abortion, and to further lift restrictions in those countries where abortion is already legalised.

We Bishops of these Islands would like to:

– Express our appreciation and support to the Maltese representatives from both sides of the House who, as has been reported, are already actively opposing the approval of this motion.

– Recall the order inscribed by the Creator in human nature and what we have already stated on 10th October, 2007:

*The first fundamental human right is the right to life.

? We have the duty to defend the life of every human being from the first moment of its existence.

? Abortion is not a choice but murder; abortion is not a right but a negation of the right to life; abortion is not beneficial, neither for society nor for the mother herself . – Appeal to the rapporteurs of such a high institution in Europe to be objective in what they propose for the consideration of the members; present fact as facts, comments as comments and what is debatable as debatable.

– Encourage the people of Malta and Gozo to pray to the Lord to continue giving our representatives and the other members of the Assembly, the wisdom and courage to defend human life.

PAUL CREMONA O.P. – Archbishop of Malta

MARIO GRECH – Bishop of Gozo

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