English cardinal denounces defeat of moves to tighten abortion laws

Published: 2008-05-21

LONDON (CNS) -- An English cardinal criticized the British Parliament's defeat of proposals to reduce the number of weeks into a pregnancy in which abortion is allowed. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor of Westminster, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, said in a May 21 statement that "many people of all faiths and none" would be very disappointed by the votes, but he said the issue would not go away. The British Parliament voted May 20 to defeat a series of amendments to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill that would have reduced the 24-week time period allowed for abortions. "While the law affects attitudes, it does not in itself compel anyone to have an abortion," the cardinal said. "Even without a change in the law there is much we can all do to change the situation.

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