Korean Catholic Bodies oppose move to ease abortions
Summary
Bishop Pius Moon Chang-woo and representatives of several Catholic organizations in South Korea formally opposed proposed revisions to the Maternal and Child Health Act. The amendments would allow broader access to abortion pills, revise language to neutralize abortion, and include abortion services under national health insurance. The Catholic leaders argued the changes would devalue fetal life and marginalize the balance between a woman’s rights and the fetus’s right to life; they pledged to revitalize a national pro-life movement to uphold ethical standards and support pregnant women through Catholic health networks
Relevance
This article illustrates how the Catholic Church in a primarily secular and pluralistic society engages critically with evolving reproductive legislation. It underscores the Church's dual commitment to ethical doctrine and social outreach, balancing advocacy for both life and women's dignity.