The bishops of Malta and Gozo insisted in a statement today that abortion is not a choice but murder, and it is not a right but a negation of the right to life.

In a statement issued in view of the debate being held in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on a motion for the decriminalisation of abortion, Archbishop Paul Cremona and bishop Mario Grech said they wished to express their appreciation and support to the Maltese representatives from both sides of the House who are actively opposing the approval of this motion.

They said that the first fundamental human right is the right to life and it was everybody's duty to defend the life of every human being from the first moment of its existence.

"Abortion is not a choice but murder; abortion is not a right but a negation of the right to life; abortion is not beneficial, neither for society nor for the mother herself."

The bishops said they were appealing to the rapporteurs of the Council of Europe to be objective in what they proposed for the consideration of the members, to present fact as facts, comments as comments and what is debatable as debatable.

They also urged the people of Malta and Gozo to pray to the Lord to continue giving their representatives and the other members of the Assembly, the wisdom and courage to defend human life.

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