Polish Bishops Reject Politically Motivated Weakening of Protection for Life

Editorial Desk - Monday, 26 October 2026, 1:00 p.m.

The Polish bishops reject a politically motivated weakening of the protection of life. On 20 October, the parliament (Sejm) passed two corresponding laws, which nevertheless still require the signature of President Karol Nawrocki. It is considered likely that the Catholic statesman will veto such laws, meaning they would not take effect.

"The bishops reject the amendments passed by the Sejm, which weaken the legal protection of the life of unborn children," stated the Polish Bishops' Conference in a statement on 24 October.

The first law provides for decriminalizing abortion performed with the woman's consent. Until now, this carried a prison sentence of up to three years. Aiding and abetting an abortion would likewise no longer be punishable.

The second law is intended to reverse the consequences of a 2020 ruling by the Polish Constitutional Tribunal, according to which abortion due to severe damage to the unborn child is unconstitutional.

Abortions are currently permitted in cases where the pregnancy endangers the woman's life or health, as well as up to the twelfth week if the child was conceived through rape.

The Bishops' Conference now recalled "that the dignity of every human being and his right to life must be protected from the moment of conception to natural death. Concern for the life of the defenseless, especially unborn children, is a duty of conscience and an expression of the social responsibility of every person."

"Even if the provisions passed by the Sejm were rejected in further stages of the legislative process, their mere consideration fosters the emergence of social acceptance of abortion as a morally neutral solution, which contradicts the truth," the bishops warned.

Finally, they called "on everyone to respect the life of every child, including the unborn child, who is a legal subject, and to ensure concrete, effective, and long-term assistance for women in difficult life situations and for their families. The Church, for its part, has been offering such assistance for many years."