CNA Staff, Aug 21, 2020 / 10:00 am (CNA).-
French Bishop Marc Aillet expressed his objections to a bioethics bill recently passed by the National Assembly, which expands the legally protected grounds for an abortion in France to include “psychosocial distress,” a move which bishops have said assures abortion nearly on demand.
Aillet, the Bishop of Bayonne, Lescar and Oloron, criticized the bill in light of the teaching of the Church in an Aug. 15 statement. The bishop said the Church must fulfill its prophetic mission of proclaiming the truth about man and God’s design for his creation.
France’s National Assembly, the lower house of the country’s parliament, passed a bill Aug. 1 adding “psychosocial distress” as grounds for an abortion as part of the country’s Bioethics Law.
Abortion is permitted in France in the first trimester of pregnancy, and later in the pregnancy under certain medical circumstances.
The Assembly also approved state-funded medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples, as well as the genetic modification of embryos for research.
Aillet said the bill represents a “major anthropological rupture.”
“Some courageous opposition MPs defended with pertinent arguments the right of a child to have a father and a mother and the inviolable dignity of the human embryo, which would be unreasonable in the light of science to not recognize as a full human being. A few members of the majority, no less courageous, dared to vote against the bill,” the bishop noted.
“The government took advantage of summertime lethargy and the French taking time to relax, understandable after the constraints of the lockdown, to pass this bill during a time of general indifference. The mainstream media have mysteriously remained very quiet on the subject throughout these days,” Aillet lamented.
An ethical disaster
The bill will turn human embryos into “laboratory mice,” the bishop charged, opening the door to “making transgenic and even chimeric embryos, thus in a certain way abolishing the dividing line between man and animal.”
Aillet also said the subjective grounds of “psychosocial distress” for abortion are unverifiable.
Abortion is always “the murder of a child who has no voice,” the bishop said, what Saint John Paul II called “the deliberate suppression of an innocent human being” in his encyclical Evangelium vitae.
The prophetic mission of the Church
Aillet declared that “the prophetic mission of the Church is precisely to proclaim, in season and out of season, the Truth about man, of which the Church is the depositary by divine mandate.”
“The prophetic mission of the Church,” the bishop said, “is to alert humanity today and to warn it against the temptation of self-destruction.”
He noted the incongruence of “on one hand recognizing that by claiming to be master of the universe by the prowess of science, that we are leading the planet on the path of an ‘ecological catastrophe,’ and deciding, in the name of the same science, to take control of human life, from its conception to its natural death, without leading humanity towards an even more damaging catastrophe!”
“One cannot, without serious prejudice to the future of mankind, oppose with impunity the Design of the Creator,” he added.
“This is the fundamental reason for our defense of the dignity of the human person, beginning with the smallest and most vulnerable,” Aillet explained.
For the French bishop “the prophetic mission of the Church therefore consists, not first of all in trying to be heard according to the criteria of the world, but in speaking to people’s consciences, that intimate sanctuary where the voice of God resounds, who commands every man to do good and avoid evil.”
“The prophetic mission of the Church still consists in pointing to the moral gravity of this bioethical bill in deciding to deprive children of the right to have a father and a mother.”
“It is not, however, a question of judging or condemning the people who, often in spite of themselves and under pressure from the surrounding environment or abused by flattering and lying propaganda, come to use these means in order to satisfy a legitimate desire to have a child or to avoid other ailments. The Lord knows their hearts and is always quick to show Mercy. All the more reason to warn them and accompany them with charity, but in the Truth.”
However, the prelate warned that “those who, knowing the moral gravity of these practices, through electioneering demagogy or ideology, enact unjust laws that are binding on all, are more guilty and reprehensible. Saint Thomas Aquinas asserted that a civil law inconsistent with natural law and divine law “is more violence than law.”
The bioethics bill goes back to the French Senate for a second reading, where it can be amended again, before being put to a vote by a joint committee of the two houses at the end of 2020. However, the decision of the National Assembly is final when a consensus cannot be reached.
“It is therefore necessary to continue to alert consciences, in particular of the senators who will have study the bill,” Aillet urged.
Spiritual Warfare
Spiritual warfare is also part of the prophetic mission of the Church, the bishop said. “What is at stake is the creative and redemptive Design of God, which it is clear “the one we call the Devil or Satan opposes from the beginning and until the end of time.”
“It is no doubt a matter of battling with all the human means at our disposal as responsible citizens,” he continued.
“For us faithful of the Catholic Church, it will also be a matter of fighting with the traditional spiritual weapons: the prophetic Word – which like that of Jesus can push back darkness and cast out demons – prayer, in particular the Rosary, and fasting.”
Therefore “the Lord is looking for souls of prayer and sacrifice to courageously engage in this combat,” the prelate encouraged.
“On the solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady, principal patroness of France, we will entrust this fight to the Virgin Mary, renewing the vow of Louis XIII,” Aillet concluded.
A version of this report was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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Um, he should be retired & sent to the Mr mccarick home for mitres gone south…
All of humanity was created by God. As Christians we are called to love God above all things, with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our minds and TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OURSELVES. I think that includes Muslims.
To truly love someone is to desire and will what is best for them, in this life and the life to come. Is it better for Muslims to stay Muslim, or to hear the Gospel and, by God’s grace, become Catholic?
Many Christian missionaries through the ages, including several early Franciscans who were stoned to death in Morocco, have given their lives for testifying and preaching the Gospel among the followers of the religion of peace. Many more Christians have been killed and enslaved by the triumphant armies of the religion of peace. See this scholarly interview by CWR Fr. Connolly:
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/12/16/the-forgotten-history-of-christian-slavery-under-islam/
Of course Miss Rosemary. Neighbor means neighbor. We don’t exclude anyone from that love. God made us all.
Ah yes, but Christ Has Revealed True Love requires desiring Salvation for one’s beloved, so how can one be Loving anyone if they first and foremost do not desire that person’s Salvation?
I agree.
I think Leo has lost his mind establishing a prayer room at the Vatican for islamists. I doubt if Orthodox Christian Church would hear anything of this nonsense.
Indeed. The Orthodox Churches have had Islam rattling their gates for 1400 years. The know exactly what is at risk.
I was hoping he would be different, but it’s becoming more apparent that Pope Leo is a Francis clone.
I look forward to the new welcoming of immigrants by the Vatican.
To borrow and injunction, Pope Leo, tear down those walls.
TPR: instead of asking Uganda to accept our criminal “migrants”, I think we ought to advocate sending all of our illegal aliens to the Vatican. They’ll be delighted to receive them all as they would Christ. One million illegals should fit comfortably inside those wall of Vatican City State
Yes,, Yes Yes I completely agree with you.
Redux you are not making sense.
Here is your recent comment in Chapp’s CWR article on Dilexit.
‘ DiogenesRedux
October 14, 2025 at 1:10 am
ELIAS GALY: Are you advocating the weaponizatuon of the Eucharist to advance a political cause? Because that’s exactly what this was. I hope you’re not virtue signaling. ‘
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/10/10/reflections-on-dilexi-te-the-first-magisterial-document-of-leo-xivs-papacy/
Presumably the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State is responsible for overseeing the Vatican’s forward-looking abortion initiatives?
At least Cupich should be able to count on the support of abortion expert and Dark Vatican friend Senator Durbin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWqKPWO5T4o
Bingo. The same analogy came up in discussion the other day with daily communicants. We observe a boy’s club, the faithful abandoned while the lads climb the ladder and proclaim their personal truths as doctrine.
It doesn’t cut the mustard.
Deep State Leo.
The good news Cupich is leaving Chicago. The bad news is that Pope Leo next selection will likely be similar to Cupich.
The news will be news when the appointment is made! Not before. If you must speculate, speculate with Charity.
A “promotion” to the 109-acre Vatican city-state, rather than to a dicastery of the Holy See. And, as in the United States, when some House members are elected to the Senate, this can improve the average IQ of both houses. Waiting now to see who will replace Cardinal Cupich in Chicago…
Groundskeeper at the Leo XIV estate is nothing to sneer about. Besides there’s the camaraderie of two windy men from the Windy City.
A charitable construction of this appointment is that Cupich has been kicked upstairs to a largely ineffectual post at the Vatican. He’ll likely do less damage there than in Chicago.
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you. Most all the American catholic media outlets and pundits have been assuring us Leo wasn’t Francis 2.0 and claiming Leo didn’t side with Cupich in the Derbin award scandal. Not only has Leo not accepted Cupich’s resignation, he’s now given him yet another position, also meaning Cupich is staying on in Chicago for the foreseeable future.
I had such Hope, such joy at Pope Leo’s election. I thought I saw in him a good man, a holy man. But, no I was mistaken. It hurts my heart to see he really is Francis 2.0, as the saying goes. I remind myself that God is in charge so all is unfolding in accordance with his will.
His Will or His permissive will?
God does not Will that we accommodate a blasphemy of The Holy Ghost, due to the hardening of our hearts.
God wills that we are Faithful and Abide In The Word Of God Incarnate.
Every day I am more disappointed in Francis 2.0. Is this a reward for the havoc and cruelty Cupich has wreaked in Chicago? Nothing on China as they advance with their control of the Church; no ultimatums to those committing ACTUAL genocide of Christians in Nigeria; a big increase in the number of bishops in the US denying the TLM and sneering at altar rails, kneeling for communion, etc (why? because they KNOW Leo is Francis Lite, Francis with kinder words and the trick of wearing traditional vestments)…. but Cupich gets this.
If only we could hope and trust that this appointment was in the best interests of God…
And the damage to the Church continues
A meaningless membership shared with 5 other Cardinals, and a President (Sister Petrini!) and two Secretaries-General on top. Perhaps a first feathered step in getting the over-age Cupich out of Chicago and maybe out of the country and into regal Vatican episcopal obscurity?
My thought as well…when somebody high up the food chain causes a major scandal for the CEO, promoting them somewhere where they can do less damage is SOP. Will have to see who is tapped to replace him before commencing hair pulling, but frankly, past reinstituting pomp and circumstance, have yet to see much of any getting back on course for the Church…not yet, anyhow…
Unless I’m missing something, Cupich will be out of Chicago and US!
This is a sad appointment. I am getting more and more disappointed in this pope as he makes appalling decisions such as appointing Cupich. I am not a Trad! I am a common-sense American Catholic who realizes that promoting the ethics of normalizing homosexual acts in the Church, as in okaying homosexual marriage, is part of Cupich’s plan.
One look at the sordid group of prelates appearing on the loggia with Leo, smiling and glad-handing with each other at his election to the papacy, and it was easy to predict the direction this was going to go. Since he is clearly smarter and more politically astute than was the bombastic, ham-fisted Francis, Leo will probably end up doing far more damage to the Church. God help us…
Let’s get one thing straight: The Catholic Church does not exist to serve the hierarchy (bishops, cardinals and popes). The hierarchy exists to serve the People of God…
Pope Leo is getting close to strike three in my books. Rewarding a cardinal for despicable behavior (honoring the Senate’s most strident pro-abortion member), is a recipe for a disastrous papacy. The verdict is still out, but I am not as hopeful as I had been for this pope. It’s troubling, to say the least.
The Cupich pontificate-by-proxy…twelve more years lies ahead.
Oh dear.
Are we seeing bishop Fulton Sheen’s counter church slowly gaining traction ?
Hope not.
Leo, are you suffering from SDS (Sheen Derangement Syndrome)?
Au contraire.
This remarkable Irish prophet warned about the ape counter church.
One world religion with something for everyone at the Vatican nowadays.
Pachamama if you wish, a Muslim prayer mat in a small Vatican mosque, a seat for a Protestant monarch, pride parades on request, care for creation prayers (rather than true worship to the Creator), a Chinese communist prelate for prayers to Xi.
But please no traddies.
Yes, no traddies!
No reminder of the essence of Catholicism when the existential Church is so far removed… Rather like Dorian Grey, Ecumenical New Church has a queer aversion to mirrors.
Traddies are that mirror.
Demotion by Promotion
Quite a few years ago now ChurchMilitant organised a ranking by vote of the American bishops at the time. Blaise Cupich ranked as the worst.