News

Colombia’s Catholic Hospitals No Longer Have To Perform Abortions

High court says another high court’s ruling is illegal.

Christianity Today April 1, 2013

Colombia’s highest courts aren’t on the same page when it comes to abortion–which actually signals a victory for Catholic hospitals that oppose the practice.

LifeSite News reports that Colombia’s Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, has declared that a decree to implement policies requiring all hospitals to perform abortions in cases of rape and incest is illegal.

The case dates back to 2006, when Colombia’s Constitutional Court struck down a total ban on abortions and “legalized abortion in cases of rape, incest, fetal malformation or for the life of the mother.” Following this ruling, the Ministry of Social Protection (MSP) issued a decree requiring hospitals to perform abortions in those cases.

But in this ruling, the Council of State said the MSP decree was invalid because it did not come from the National Congress, the only body authorized to implement Constitutional Court rulings.

CT routinely reports on abortion, and recently has noted the legalization of abortion in heavily Catholic Latin American countries.

Our Latest

Wicked or Misunderstood?

A conversation with Beth Moore about UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect Luigi Mangione and the nature of sin.

Why Armenian Christians Recall Noah’s Ark in December

The biblical account of the Flood resonates with a persecuted church born near Mount Ararat.

Review

The Virgin Birth Is More Than an Incredible Occurrence

We’re eager to ask whether it could have happened. We shouldn’t forget to ask what it means.

The Nine Days of Filipino Christmas

Some Protestants observe the Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi, predawn services in the days leading up to Christmas.

The Bulletin

Neighborhood Threat

The Bulletin talks about Christians in Syria, Bible education, and the “bad guys” of NYC.

Join CT for a Live Book Awards Event

A conversation with Russell Moore, Book of the Year winner Gavin Ortlund, and Award of Merit winner Brad East.

Excerpt

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Proper’ Christmas Carol

As we learn from the surprising journeys of several holiday classics, the term defies easy definition.

Advent Calls Us Out of Our Despair

Sitting in the dark helps us truly appreciate the light.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube