Poland already has the most restrictive laws on abortion in the EU, allowing abortion only at the earliest stages, and if the woman’s life or health is endangered, if the pregnancy resulted from a criminal act, or if the fetus is seriously malformed. This new total ban would carry a five year jail sentence for seeking an abortion, and would make unintentionally causing a miscarriage punishable with imprisonment, under the assumption that the woman brought on the miscarriage herself.
Thousands are protesting at government buildings, following the Prime Minister’s endorsement of a total ban requested by the Catholic Church. The video below, posted on Facebook, depicts women (and a few men) walking out of church as the Priest reads a letter calling for a total ban.
The Guardian has covered the story in detail on their site, noting that the ban has support of the conservative majority party in office now. While most Poles see abortion as immoral, support for the current laws was once widespread, and it seems surprising that anyone could support arresting a woman who has unintentionally miscarried.
Do you think the ban will succeed? What do you think this controversy will mean for the Roman Catholic church, in Poland and elsewhere? What will it mean for faithful women who are afraid of the overreach proposed?