Bishop's statement on abortion conviction

Bishop Sherrington - Image: CBCEW

Source: CBCEW

A 44-year-old mother of three who took abortion pills at home past the legal time limitations, resulting in the miscarriage of a 32-34 week (about eight months) old foetus was sentenced to 28 months in prison on 12th June. Carla Foster is likely to serve 14 months in custody. The abortion took place during the first Covid lockdown.

Carla Foster was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she took medication acquired via the 'pills by post' scheme introduced during lockdown, the first Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. Under the scheme she was interviewed by telephone and said she was about seven weeks pregnant.

Foster was initially charged with 'child destruction', which she denied, but later pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 58 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Under the law, women "who use drugs or instruments" that are "unlawfully administered" to cause an abortion could be "kept in penal servitude for life".

Abortion in the UK is legal up to 24 weeks, and the procedure must be carried out in a clinic after 10 weeks.

Carla Foster will serve 14 months in custody, separated from her three children. The judge said one of the children has "special needs, which means that he is particularly reliant upon your love and support".

Bishop John Sherrington, on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, called the circumstances 'deeply distressing' and offered prayers for all concerned.

In his statement, the Lead Bishop for Life Issues said: "Abortion is always a tragedy, both for the mother and for the child who is killed. The consistent teaching of the Catholic Church has always been that both must be protected.

"The recent case of the mother who aborted her child outside the parameters of the law is deeply distressing for all concerned, especially her other children. However, it is the responsibility of the judiciary to decide how the law should be applied, including the consideration of mitigating circumstances and sentencing.

"I offer prayers for all concerned."

Day for Life, a day the Church dedicates to praying for and raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life, is on Sunday 18th June this year. Read more about the Day for Life here: https://rcdow.org.uk/news/day-for-life-2023/