Polish bishops oppose abortion bills and name abuse commission head

The Polish bishops expressed opposition to two abortion reform bills during their 406th plenary assembly in Zakopane on Oct. 24. In a final communiqué, the bishops stated the bills passed by the Sejm weaken the legal protection of unborn children and may foster social acceptance of abortion as a morally neutral solution. They also urged continued support for women in difficult circumstances.

The Sejm passed a penal code amendment 217-213 that would remove criminal penalties for helping or persuading a woman to have an abortion outside the law and protect medical staff from prosecution in certain cases. A second bill passed 233-203 to allow abortion up to viability in cases of severe fetal impairment or incurable illness, making the procedure free in the public health system. Both bills moved to the Senate on Oct. 21 and require the signature of President Karol Nawrocki.

During the assembly, the bishops also elected historian Piotr Franaszek to lead a commission of independent experts to investigate the sexual abuse of minors in the Polish Church.