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Church's pressure grows on Catholic MPs over abortion
Last updated at 22:37pm on 31.05.07
Cardinal Keith O'Brien described abortion as 'an unspeakable crime'
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor's intervention places unprecedented pressure on Catholic politicians for reforms on abortion law
The leader of England's Roman Catholics has warned MPs that they cannot tolerate abortion and keep their faith.
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor's intervention places unprecedented pressure on Catholic politicians for reforms to abortion law.
His warning means nearly 70 MPs are faced with a crisis of conscience if they fail to rally behind a fresh push for the abolition of legal abortion.
It also comes as anti-abortion campaigners prepare for a summer of protest ahead of the 40th anniversary this autumn of the 1967 legislation that legalised terminations.
The spotlight was first thrown on MP by the leader of Scotland's Catholics, Cardinal Keith O'Brien.
In a sermon he said that politicians should avoid "cooperating in the unspeakable crime of abortion and the barrier such co-operation erects to receiving Holy Communion".
"I urge politicians to have no truck with the evil trade of abortion. For those at Westminster this means findings means of overthrowing the legislation which makes the killing possible," he added.
The Glasgow-based Cardinal O'Brien insisted last night he did not mean a threat of excommunication, but said that "whether it's mothers or fathers, or politicians and doctors or nurses, they must consider their own consciences and whether or not they can approach the altar to receive Holy Communion".
Backing his hardline stance, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor, said yesterday there is a question over whether Catholics who support abortion can take Communion, the Sacrament that is at the essence of the faith.
He said: "I would urge all Catholics, especially those who hold positions of public responsibility, to educate themselves about the teaching of the Church, and to seek pasborntoral advice so that they can make informed decisions with consistency and integrity."
He added: "The long-standing tradition of the Church teaches that anyone who freely and knowingly commits a serious wrong (that is, a mortal sin) should approach the Eucharist only after receiving faithfully the Sacrament of Penance."
Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor is expected to announce that a Catholic day of protest against abortion will be held on 1 July.
The pressure on politicians will begin to count in two Commons moves sponsored by anti-abortion MPs.
This week a private member's Bill submitted by Tory Ann Winterton will call for mandatory counselling for pregnant women before any abortion and a seven-day cooling-off period to allow them time to make up their own minds after receiving advice.
Later this summer, former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe will put down a tenminute rule bill calling for changes to abortion law.
Nearly 200,000 abortions are carried out in England and Wales every year, so that one in every four conceptions ends in abortion.
Pro-abortion organisations have made clear that they now regard termination of a pregnancy as legitimate form of contraception.
But films of foetuses moving in the womb as little as 12 weeks into pregnancy and the increasing ability of doctors to preserve the lives of babies under the abortion limit of 24 weeks have prompted many to question the law.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt held a meeting with Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor at which she refused his request to consider cutting the 24-week limit.
Senior Catholic MPs supported Cardinal O'Brien's call yesterday.
Jim Dobbin, Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton and leader of the all-party Commons pro-life group, said: "I would take a tough line on this as well. If you are a member of the Church, you behave according to its rules and regulations. I don't think you can pick and choose how to practise that faith."
He added: "Cardinal O'Brien is exercising his spiritual authority."
But the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Geraldine Smith, disagreed, saying: "I do not support abortion. But I am not a Catholic MP, I am an MP who is Catholic and I represent people who have different views.
"At present I do not want to see abortion made illegal because I believe that it would just drive abortion underground."
The growing pressure over abortion will throw a new spotlight on Tony Blair, who is expected to convert to Catholicism after he steps down.
Many Catholics blame him for doing nothing to curb abortion during his decade in office.
Reader views (7)
Do we really have to listen to the opinion of people that believe in fantasies? Their judgement is clearly suspect, otherwise they could not believe in all the nonsense that Catholicism teaches.
Perhaps this story should be a lesson for us all - if your MP is catholic, they will not represent the wishes of the electorate, but the wishes of an un-elected, out-of-touch figurehead in Rome.
- Rob, London
If this pressure on Catholic politicians continues then the electorate will have to consider whether they are voting for an individual with the freedom and responsibility to address the needs of all their constituents (including non-Catholics) or a puppet that is obliged do the church's bidding.
- Chris, UK
It is ironic that the people laying down the law to Catholics on abortion are men who will never have a normal family life due to their vow of celibacy. Once again, the Catholic Church is out of touch with the majority and is trying to subvert democracy. It stands in the way of condom use in Africa, which would prevent millions from dying from AIDS. And now it wants Britain to adopt a Ceausescu - style approach to abortion, which would see thousands of children dumped in orphanages (don't forget, Mother Theresa was a big fan of the Ceausescu regime). The Vatican should concern itself with the well being of Catholics, particularly in the developing world, not trying to dictate how wider society should behave.
- Dan, Cambridge, UK
Its nice to see the hierarchy of the Catholic church in the UK start taking some serious action to against renegade "Catholic" politicians. MPs who believe they have a conflict between civil and religious duty have two courses of action. They can resign as MPs or they can leave the Catholic Church. Its time to make a choice. I can only pray that the bishops here in the USA do the same as those in the UK.
- Michael R. Zboray, Montvale, NJ USA
Abortion must remain legal. No woman should be trapped into having a baby she cannot cope with. If the Catholic church is so against abortion, they must allow sensible contraception - that would reduce the demand for abortion.
- Clare, Cambridge
Actually 'Emma, London', surveys consistently show women to be more in favour of restricting access to abortion than men. I'm not a Roman Catholic but in this case the Cardinal is actually more closely articulating the female view than the male.
- Emma, London
I don't normally comment on things like this but this made me so mad. How telling that it is men who don't see what the big deal is. I say sure, take away the right to abortion unless it is for medical reasons but ONLY when men are made to provide equal time and financial support for any un-planned children. I am not for abortion by any means but how dare he criticise women for something he does not and will never understand. I'd like to know whether he has spoken to any woman who has had an abortion and asked her for her reasons before making such an outrageous statement.
- Emma, London
