Bishop Sanctions Catholic Priest for Speaking Out Against Abortion

International   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Dec 30, 2022   |   10:42AM   |   Paris, France

A Catholic diocese in eastern France punished a priest recently for reminding his parishioners of the massive death toll to abortions.

Voges Matin reports Father Francois Schneider condemned the killing of unborn babies in abortions during his homily Nov. 11 in Bertrimoutier. The Mass was held in remembrance of those who died in World War I.

Schneider told the congregation that “abortion caused more deaths in the world than the Great War,” which is true. Estimates vary, but researchers say about 42 million unborn babies are aborted across the world every year.

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In a statement, the Diocese of Saint-Die said many were “shocked” by Schneider’s abortion comment. The diocese said the priest was wrong bring up abortion at a service honoring those who died in World War I.

“November 11 is a day of remembrance for all and, for us Christians, an occasion of prayer for the dead of war and for peace in the world,” the statement read.

The bishop sanctioned Schneider, banning him from public speaking for four weeks starting Nov. 19.

Likely what prompted Schneider’s remarks was the renewed abortion debate in France. In late November, the National Assembly passed a radical pro-abortion bill that would create an unrestricted “right” to abort an unborn baby in the French Constitution. The legislation now is before the Senate.

President Emmanuel Macron and other politicians have been pushing for the amendment, pointing to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in America.

However, the public may not understand just how extreme the constitutional amendment would be. If it passes both houses and then a voter referendum, abortions for any reason up to birth could become legal in France. The amendment “guarantees” a “right to voluntarily end a pregnancy” without limits, according to RFI.

Currently, abortions are legal up to 14 weeks of pregnancy. According to the French Ministry of Health, there were 222,000 abortions in 2020.