By Agencies
T HE Catholic Church yesterday launched a nationwide campaign against the proposed Medical Services Bill,accusing some Senators of accepting bribes to support the legislation that seeks to legalise abortion in Zimbabwe.
The Bill, which is awaiting debate and a vote in the Senate this week, has drawn public criticism, with church leaders warning that its passage will erode moral foundations and under mine constitutional protection for unborn children.
On Sunday, Catholic priests across the country used their pulpits to urge congregants to pressure lawmakers to oppose the Bill, describing it as a grave moral threat.
In co-ordinated sermons across Zimbabwe, Catholic priests called on lawmakers to vote against the legislation, while some accused Senators who support the Bill of betraying their conscience and the nation for financial gain.
The proposed law seeks to allow abortions on request up to 20 weeks for both adults and minors, including minors without parental consent. It also removes spousal notification requirements and permits a single medical practitioner to authorise the procedure — provisions the church says open the door to abuse and weaken safeguards around the sanctity of life.
Church leaders and other critics argue that the Bill contradicts section 48 of the Constitution, which protects the right to life, cautioning that liberalizing abortion laws without broad societal consensus can have far Catholic Church blasts Senators over Abortion Bill We’re launching a bigger party in 2026: Chamisa PLZ brings early Christmas joy to Goromonzi villagers reaching ethical and social consequences.
One Catholic priest, who cannot be named for fear of victimisation, told congregants yesterday during a church that the church had received information that some Senators were bribed to vote for the Bill, which he said raised serious moral concerns.
“There is a law being promulgated,” the priest said.
“The Upper House of Parliament currently has a Bill that includes provisions on abortion.
We are hearing that some Senators have been paid huge sums of money as bribes so that they vote ‘yes’. By doing so, they will be voting for the destruction of lives. This is against Scripture.Jesus gives life.”
He urged congregants to pray for lawmakers ahead of the vote.
“Let us pray for our Senators as they deal with this important Bill. We must pray that they fear God, so that they choose life over death. We believe that life begins at conception and must be respected. As human beings, we do not have the authority to destroy human life,”the priest said.
He warned of moral consequences for legislators who support the Bill, saying Senators who vote for it will have “blood on their hands” and will face judgement for their actions.
The church’s intervention adds to mounting pressure on legislators, with civil society groups, religious organisations and women’s rights advocates taking opposing positions ahead of the Senate vote. Proponents of the Bill argue that it is necessary to protect women’s health and reproductive rights.
In a pastoral letter, the Catholic Bishops questioned the moral judgement of lawmakers supporting the Bill, warning that voting in its favour constitutes a serious betrayal of Christian values and the sanctity of life.
“History will judge us harshly for failing to defend the lives of the weaker members of our society,” the letter read.
“As the Church, we uphold the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, a value mirrored in our Zimbabwean cultures. We, therefore, invite all brothers and sisters to pray for our Senators and for the respect of life in all its forms. To our Senators, we make a strong appeal to your conscience: Is it money, political correctness or seeking relevance that sees you choose to worship at the altar of human sacrifice? NewsDay
