Portuguese Catholic leaders rally faithful against abortion vote

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

LISBON (AFP) — "Abominable crime", "variation of capital punishment", "attack on civilisation", "deliberate murder": these are the cries of the Portuguese Church as it calls its faithful to stand up against abortion. Predominantly Roman Catholic Portugal has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe, but voters on February 11 will have the opportunity to legalise abortion for all women until the 10th week of pregnancy.

With three weeks to go till the vote and polls predicting 60 percent "for" the decriminalisation moves, the Church is hoping to prick the consciences of the more than 80 percent of Portuguese who call themselves Catholic. The Episcopal Conference officially says it seeks to "serenely enlighten consciences" on "the defence of life from conception...