The President of the Polish Episcopate: There must be no compromise in the discussion on human life

The President of the Polish Episcopate pointed out that the Charter of Fundamental Rights recalls that "everyone has the right to life". (Article 2, paragraph 1). "The European Union thus recognizes that inalienable human dignity and respect for the right to life are fundamental criteria for democracy and the rule of law", he stated.

He also stressed that the title of the resolution itself is misleading, as there is no such thing as a "right to abortion" not only in the light of ethics but also of international law. "No democratic legal order may give the right to kill an innocent human being", the statement says.

The head of the Polish Bishops' Conference pointed out that "the right to life is a fundamental human right, and it always takes precedence over the right to choose, as no man can authoritatively allow the possibility of killing another person". Therefore, "talking about the so-called legal compromise on the protection of life is a falsification of reality, since by doing so, the most important 'third party' in the dispute, namely the unborn children and their inalienable right to life are left out".

Archbishop Gądecki also thanked the defenders of life, who "are making efforts to promote and protect the life of the unborn". "These groups are the voice of thousands of children in the wombs of their mothers whose lives are in danger. They are the voice of natural reason, which consistently and against ideological conformism and opportunism, defends human life at every phase of its development", the statement reads.

Office for Foreign Communication of the Secretariat of the Polish Bishops' Conference

Full text:

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE POLISH BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION
ON ABORTION IN POLAND

The universal right to life

On 26 November 2020, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on abortion in Poland. The document repeatedly refers to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which, i. a., reads as follows: “Conscious of its spiritual and moral heritage, the Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law” (Preamble).

The Charter of Fundamental Rights recalls that “everyone has the right to life”. (Article 2, paragraph 1). Its authors’ intention was to severe any ties to the infamous eugenic practice. The Charter thus states that in the fields of medicine and biology “the prohibition of eugenic practices, in particular those aiming at the selection of persons” must be respected. (Article 3 par.2b). The European Union therefore recognises that inalienable human dignity and respect for the right to life are fundamental criteria for democracy and the rule of law.

St John Paul II spoke out in a similar way. “The measure of civilization, a universal and permanent measure which includes all cultures, is its relationship with life. A civilization which rejected the defenceless would deserve to be called a barbarian civilization, even though it had great successes in the field of economics, technology, art and science” (John Paul II, Kalisz, 4 June 1997).

Breaching the right to life

Regretfully, the principles of fundamental respect for human life are “being crossed, and brutally at that, not only by instances of individual conduct but also by the effects of societal choices and structures” (Francis, Letter on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Pontifical Academy of Life, 15 January 2019). “Unfortunately, attacks against people’s dignity and life still continue in our epoch, which is the age of universal human rights. Indeed, we are facing new threats and new forms of slavery, and laws do not always protect the weakest and most vulnerable human lives” (Francis, 25 March 2020). As a cornerstone of such a policy there is often a misconception of pluralism. Therefore, it seems important to recall the address of St John Paul II to the Diplomatic Corps in Warsaw: “Even pluralistic states cannot renounce ethical norms in their legislation and in public life, especially since the essential gift that human life is, from the time of conception right until death through natural causes, requires protection” (John Paul II, Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Warsaw, 8 June 1991). Abortion is not a question of religion, “but of human ethics, first and foremost of any religious denomination”, Pope Francis emphasises. Hence the question: “Is it fair to eliminate a human life to solve a problem? Is it right to hire a killer to solve a problem?” (Francis, Letter to the Argentine women’s pro-life network, 26 November 2020).

There must be no compromise in the discussion on human life

Although regulations on the protection of human life remain outside the EU's competence, as the European Commission has repeatedly reminded in its answers to parliamentary questions, the EU could still greatly contribute to improving the protection of the right to life of every conceived child, for example by promoting best practices. However, for the effectiveness of such measures aimed at promoting the right to life and banning eugenic practices, a number of issues need to be properly addressed.

Firstly, the title of the resolution itself is misleading, as there is no such thing as a “right to abortion” not only in the light of ethics but also of international law. No democratic legal order may give the right to kill an innocent human being.

Secondly, in the discussion on abortion, the most important are not the rights of opponents or the rights of supporters of abortion, but the right of children, a fundamental one – their right to life, which, regardless of the circumstances, shall be guaranteed to every child, and legally protected.

Thirdly, the right to life is a fundamental human right. It always takes precedence over the right to choose, as man can authoritatively allow the possibility of killing another person. Talking about the so-called legal compromise on the protection of life is a falsification of reality, since by doing so, the most important ‘third party’ in the dispute, namely the unborn children and their inalienable right to life are left out. Any compromise on this matter is tantamount to depriving some children of their fundamental right to life and exercising the death penalty in a brutal way, which, shall we recall, is also prohibited by the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Therefore there may be no compromise in this regard.

Defending the right to life

Defending life is not an easy task today. St John Paul II even spoke of a network of complicity which reaches out to include international institutions, foundations and associations and which systematically campaign for the legalization and spread of abortion in the world. Efforts are being made to force pro-abortion legislation “from outside”, involving serious financial resources (cf. EV 59). “There are not many who fight for life; in a world where more and more weapons are built each day, where laws contrary to life are made daily; where a throwaway culture continues every day; the discarding of what is not useful, what is bothersome” (Francis, 4 February 2018).

Defenders of life often face aggression and contempt. I would like to address them with the words of gratitude expressed by St John Paul II: “I thank you for the parliamentary initiatives aimed at safeguarding human life from the moment of conception in the mother's womb. A clear position of the law with regard to abortion is indispensable to allow a thorough process of conversion. For it is difficult to have proper educational or pastoral activity when the law prevents it. What is 'legal' is unfortunately often easily regarded as 'morally lawful' ” (John Paul II, Warsaw, 9 June 1991).

Defending life in Poland

In recent days, Pope Francis has touched upon the subject of the protection of life on several occasions: “Through the intercession of Mary Most Holy and the Holy Polish Pontiff, I ask God to arouse in the hearts of all respect for the life of our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable and defenceless, and to give strength to those who welcome and care for it, even when this requires heroic love” (Francis, 28 October 2020).

Numerous milieus in Poland are making efforts to promote and protect the life of the unborn. “Striving for the full protection of human life from conception to natural death [...] is the task of both Members of Parliament and all people of good will, regardless of their religion or worldview”' (Communication of the Presidium of the Polish Episcopal Conference on the Protection of Human Life, 6 October 2016).

These groups are the voice of thousands of children in the wombs of their mothers whose lives are in danger. They are the voice of natural reason, which consistently and against ideological conformism and opportunism, defends human life at every phase of its development. They are the voice of hundreds of millions of people around the world who have discovered the beauty of each and every life. Unfortunately, this courageous and rightful voice is often met with aggression and violence by the supporters of the civilisation of death.

Initiatives to support Parents

I wish to remind that Pope Francis is asking God “to arouse in the hearts of all respect for the life of our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable and defenceless, and to give strength to those who welcome and care for it, even when this requires heroic love”. A similar appeal to all Poles was made by the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops' Conference: “The commandment of love imposes an important duty on us to take care, help and protect mothers and families in receiving and bringing up sick children. I thank all the communities and institutions that have been committed to carrying out this duty for years, and I wish to urge all parishes, Catholic movements and other Church organisations to develop concrete initiatives to respond to the needs of those are and will be in need of such help, both individual and institutional. The Church will always stand up for life and support the initiatives that protect it” (Appeal of the Permanent Council of the Polish Bishops’ Conference on the Protection of Life and Social Peace, 28 October 2020).

Everyone has the right to be lovingly expected before being born. I am full of gratitude to parents who embrace their children with such attitude. I wish to thank those who - within pro-life networks -  take initiatives aimed both at ensuring full legal protection of the life of the unborn children and organising assistance and support for mothers expecting a child. I pray for those who have committed or participated in the sin of abortion.

I bless all people of good will from the heart, and I pray for the grace of conversion for those who have not yet discovered the stunning beauty of each and every life. I also entrust to God all those who in Europe are committed to preserving the awareness of spiritual, religious and moral heritage.

+ Stanisław Gądecki
Metropolitan Archbishop of Poznań
President of the Polish Bishops' Conference
Vice-President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE)

(Translation from Polish original A. Soroka-Kulma / Office for Foreign Communication of the Secretariat of the Polish Bishops’ Conference)