Pope backs bishops on assisted fertility treatment

Pope Benedict XVI today endorsed efforts by Italian bishops to restrict assisted fertility treatments, contending that a referendum next month to scrap parts of a law posed threats to life and the family.

The Pope spoke to the Italian bishops conference, which has called on Italians to boycott the referendum, scheduled for June 12-13. It was the German-born Pope’s first foray into an Italian issue, but his support was not unexpected. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the head of the Italian bishops conference, is the Pope’s vicar for Rome.

The current law forbids sperm and egg donation, limits the number of embryos created with in vitro techniques to three and bans all embryo research.

The referendums would abrogate the law’s provisions on embryo research, the three-embryo limit, the ban on egg or sperm donation from outside the couple and the attribution of rights to the unborn.

Opponents complain the law restricts scientific research and a woman’s reproductive rights.

The Pope did not mention any details of the law, but he noted that the bishops were “committed to illuminating the choices of Catholics and all citizens” in the upcoming referendum. He emphasised the importance of defending the family and human life.

The bishops are pressing Italians not to vote in the hope that a low turnout will doom the proposed changes to the law. At least 50% plus one of eligible voters must cast ballots to make a referendum valid.

Benedict stressed the importance that the family has been to Italian life but said that even in this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country the family has not been immune to secular trends.