Italian referendum to lift limits on artificial reproduction fails

Published: 2005-06-14

ROME (CNS) -- Italian bishops scored a major victory with the defeat of a referendum aimed at repealing restrictions on artificial reproduction and embryonic research. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, head of the Italian bishops' conference, urged voters to stay away from the polls, saying a boycott of the June 12-13 referendum would send a "double no" on efforts to repeal current restrictions. Because a quorum, or 50 percent plus one vote of all eligible voters, is required for a referendum's results to be valid, not casting a vote is an alternative way to show opposition to a proposal. With 26 percent of eligible voters turning out over the two days of polling, Cardinal Ruini praised people's "maturity" and "wisdom" in adhering to the boycott, while downplaying his role in the successful campaign.

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