Adelaide’s Catholic archdiocese voices support for abortion law reforms that force women to give birth after 28 weeks

Adelaide’s Catholic archdiocese has voiced support for controversial abortion law reforms introduced to the upper house this week.

Adelaide’s Catholic Church has voiced support for proposed laws that would force women seeking abortions after 28 weeks to deliver their babies alive.

Adelaide Archdiocese’s Vicar General Fr Dean Marin said “the Catholic Church supports any legislation aimed at protecting the unborn child”.

“Our priority as Christians is to continue to express our belief in the sacredness of every human life and to advocate for the rights of the unborn child, while also providing pastoral care and support for women who are faced with the difficult decision of having an abortion,” he said on Thursday.

It came after the bill was introduced to the upper house on Wednesday by conservative Liberal MLC Ben Hood.

Under the changes, women who choose to terminate their pregnancy after 28 weeks would be forced to deliver the baby alive, and choose either adoption or to keep their child.

Nicola Centofanti, Professor Joanna Howe, Ben Hood, Laura Henderson, Sarah Game and Heidi Girolamo at a rally on the steps of parliament. Picture: Paul Starick

Currently, late-term terminations are only allowed in cases where there is a threat to the life of the mother or ­another foetus, there is significant risk of serious foetal anomalies, or there is significant risk to the health of the mother.

SA Health data showed fewer than five abortions were performed after 27 weeks since abortion was decriminalised in South Australia in 2022, and there were no terminations after 29 weeks.

Mr Hood’s bill is expected to fall short of the 11-vote majority required to progress through the upper house.

MLCs who have said they will support the amendments are Liberals Nicola Centofanti, Heidi Girolamo, Laura Henderson and Dennis Hood, along with One Nation’s Sarah Game and independent Frank Pangallo.

Labor MPs said they expected government members Clare Scriven and Tung Ngo would also vote in favour.

Originally published as Adelaide’s Catholic archdiocese voices support for abortion law reforms that force women to give birth after 28 weeks