Church Leader’s Meeting with Health Secretary Set to Renew Abortion Debate

The abortion debate is set to be reignited today by the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, who has called for the government to make landmark changes to legislation.

|PIC1|Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor will urge ministers to reduce the current 24-week abortion limit during a private meeting at the Department of Health. In crucial talks with the Health Secretary, the cardinal is expected to put forward that the scientific advances made in recent years means that current abortion laws are out-dated.

However, despite a huge debate surrounding abortion rights, the British government has remained adamant that there are no plans to amend legislation.

The Catholic Church is fighting for a step-by-step reduction in the abortion limits because although the Church is completely against abortions, it realises that calling for an outright ban on abortions would not be fruitful.

In 2005, the England Catholic head caused controversy when he supported a move by then Tory leader, Michael Howard for the limit to be lowered. Murphy-O’Connor has supported the move unwaveringly, particularly after medical advances have made it possible even for foetuses born prior to 24 weeks gestation to survive.

|AD|Medical professionals took part in a full debate over the issue at their annual conference last year for the first time since 1989, but voted against calling for a reduction in the limit.

Currently France, Germany and Italy have set their abortion limits at between 12 and 13 weeks gestation, but British Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has previously stated that she is not in favour of a reduction.

However, the Church is further pushing the issue after signs that the public opinion is shifting towards a favouring of a reduction. A survey by the Observer newspaper this year has shown that half of women were in favour of more restrictive laws regarding abortions.

Also on the Cardinal’s agenda will be to urge the health secretary to set up a National Bioethics Committee, which will look to lead discussions on issues surrounding the ending of life, and embryo science.

The Department of Health said the health secretary was happy to take the cardinal's views into consideration. However, a spokeswoman said, “It is accepted parliamentary practice that proposals for changes in the law on abortion have come from backbench members and that decisions are made on the basis of free votes. The government has no plans to change the law on abortion.”