The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) has publicly rejected provisions in the proposed Public Health Bill that would allow abortion under certain circumstances, saying the legislation conflicts with the Church’s teachings on the sanctity of life.
In a statement issued Saturday, the bishops also distanced themselves from the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL), which recently endorsed the bill and called for its passage.
The bishops said that while the Catholic Church shares common values with other faith communities, including peace, justice, reconciliation and respect for human dignity, it cannot support the Public Health Bill in its current form.
“We want to categorically state that we are not in agreement with the Inter-Religious Council in endorsing and requesting the passage of the New Public Health Bill of Liberia in its entirety,” the statement said.
According to CABICOL, the Church’s concerns center on Part X, Chapter 49 of the bill, this addresses sexual and reproductive health rights. The bishops noted that they first expressed reservations about the provision in a statement issued on August 29, 2023, and are renewing their call for lawmakers to reconsider that section of the legislation.
The Church said its position is rooted in both scripture and Catholic doctrine.
Citing the biblical commandment, “Thou Shall Not Kill” (Exodus 20:13), the bishops reaffirmed their belief that human life must be protected from conception until natural death.
“We once more unequivocally reject the concept of justified abortion as contained in the New Health Bill,” the statement said.
The bishops further called on Catholic health institutions and Liberians in general to uphold the value of human life.
“We call on all our Catholic Health Institutions, and all men and women of goodwill, to respect life, from the moment of conception to its natural end,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by Anthony Borwah, Andrew Jagaye Karnley and Gabriel Blamo Jubwe.
The Public Health Bill has been under consideration for several years as part of efforts to modernize Liberia’s public health laws. Supporters say the legislation seeks to strengthen healthcare delivery, improve public health services and address a range of health-related challenges facing the country.
However, provisions dealing with sexual and reproductive health have generated significant debate, particularly among religious organizations. Critics argue that parts of the bill could broaden access to abortion, while advocates maintain that the legislation is intended to protect women’s health and address complications arising from unsafe abortions.
The Catholic Church remains one of the most vocal opponents of those provisions and is urging lawmakers to remove them before the bill is passed.
The latest statement adds another influential voice to the ongoing national discussion as legislators continue their review of the proposed law.
