Criticism of the bishops: blatant paradigm shift in the abortion law!

Criticism of the bishops: blatant paradigm shift in the abortion law!

Bonn, Deutschland - The Catholic bishops of Germany reaffirmed their sharp criticism of a draft law on the reform of the abortion regulations on February 7, 2025. Bishop Georg Bätzing warned of the dangers of possible liberalization that could result in a decline in protection for unborn children. In a statement on the upcoming hearing in the Legal Committee of the Bundestag on February 10, it is emphasized that the human dignity of unborn life must not be ignored. The draft law provides for abortion to pregnancy until the twelfth week and to remove from the Criminal Code, which the bishops see as a serious constitutional paradigm shift.

warning about constitutional paradigm shift

as presseportal.de , the Catholic Church has repeatedly shown resistance to a reform that attacks a cornerstone debate on life protection. The draft does not apply to the previously legally anchored three -day waiting period for pregnant women, which consists between advice and abortion, and could therefore significantly reduce the protection of vulnerable persons. The draft law is not only a legal, but also an ethical challenge, since it implies a gradual change of the view of life protection that could have serious consequences for society.

In a time when the government is under pressure, some MPs want to quickly wave through the law before the upcoming Bundestag election. The Catholic bishops, but also other groups, require a comprehensive social discourse due to the complexity of the topic before such fundamental changes are made. The basic rights position of the woman is respected, but critically the bishops question how the draft deals with the right of the unborn child. According to Bätzing, the adoption of the law could cause the ethical principles of the German Basic Law to be damaged.