The most populous nation in the European Union has been called for to have “nationwide availability of abortion” by a prominent laywoman and co-president of the German “Synodal Way.”
According to CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, Irme Stetter-Karp, president of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), acknowledged that abortion should not be viewed as a “normal medical procedure.”
The 65-year-old stated that abortion was “not a routine intervention and should not be handled as such” in comments published by the German weekly Die Zeit, but added that the Central Committee of German Catholics supported “ethically responsible action on the part of all those involved.”
Stetter-Karp went on to say: “A nationwide provision for medical abortion intervention must be made at the same time.
This is not the case at the moment due to a lack of gynecological care, particularly in rural areas.”
The contentious “Synodal Way” is organized by the German Bishops’ Conference and the Central Committee of German Catholics.
Stetter-Karp, who is currently the lay committee’s president, is also the co-president of the German process.
The head of the Federal Association for Life in Germany, Alexandra Linder, sharply denounced Stetter-remarks. Karp’s (Bundesverband Lebensrecht).
The organization coordinates the yearly March for Life in Berlin.
In remarks to CNA Deutsch, Lindner charged Stetter-Karp of succumbing to “the false promises of the abortion lobby” and advocated for greater prenatal counseling and support in place of the availability of abortion.
“The constantly high abortion rate in Germany makes it clear that the population is not shrinking at all.
Furthermore, a higher percentage of abortions are not statistically reported at all due to the absence of mandated reporting.”
A draft law to repeal Section 219a of the German Criminal Code, which forbids the promotion of abortions, was approved by the Federal Cabinet of Germany.
The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), an umbrella group for Catholic children’s and youth organizations, advocated for the repeal of Germany’s ban on abortion advertisement in April.
The inaccessibility of abortions in all of Germany was another issue brought up by the BDKJ.
Abortions are no longer available in some parts of Germany, according to Hottenbacher.
Pregnant women are under increased time pressure as a result, making it difficult for them to determine whether or not to have an abortion.
In Germany, abortion is currently legal during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with counseling required at a facility that has received state approval.
Later abortions are also legal under certain conditions.
In the pandemic year of 2020, the 83 million-person nation saw roughly 100,000 abortions.
The German Bishops’ Conference issued a statement after the German Federal Government decided to abolish the restriction on abortion advertising in March, according to CNA Deutsch.
The statement expressed cautious condemnation of the government’s plans.