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The Mexican bishops' conference has voiced significant concern over a recent initiative in the Mexico City assembly that seeks to remove all legal protections for life during gestation. The initiative, according to the bishops, could pave the way for removing abortion limits nationwide.
In a statement dated November 6, Archbishop Rogelio Cabrera López of Monterrey and Bishop Ramón Castro Castro of Cuernavaca highlighted their worries. "This initiative, which seeks the total decriminalization of abortion in Mexico City, and which will probably be extended to other states in the Republic, would not only eliminate the current limit of twelve weeks of gestation but would also open the door to the termination of pregnancy at any time," they stated.
The bishops expressed their inability to remain silent on this issue. They argued that under the guise of defending rights, this measure disregards "the most fundamental human right: 'the right to life from conception to natural death,'" potentially impacting women's lives dramatically.
On November 4, two commissions within the Mexico City assembly voted to remove abortion from the criminal code and abolish any restrictions on how late an abortion could occur during pregnancy. Previously, punishments included three to six months in prison or 100 to 300 days of community service for women who had abortions.
Mexico City was a pioneer in decriminalizing abortion back in 2007 but limited it to within 12 weeks of pregnancy. In 2023, Mexico's Supreme Court effectively decriminalized abortion nationwide up until the same period.
The move represents another challenge for Mexico's pro-life movement, which has faced numerous court decisions and legislative actions reducing abortion restrictions over recent years.
Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador did not advocate for increased access to abortion during his tenure, focusing instead on issues like poverty and corruption. However, his Morena party has supported decriminalization efforts. Opposition parties such as the conservative National Action Party have not consistently defended pro-life positions.
Alicia Galván from Patria Unida commented on this shift: "The party that supposedly defended life began to question it."
Despite these developments, Mexico's bishops have committed "to continue providing spiritual and material assistance" and extending "understanding, mercy and love" to those affected by abortion experiences. They emphasized that "the right to life is not a matter of ideology nor simple political opinion."
David Agren reported this story from Mexico City for OSV News.
