We, Maltese Jesuits, would like to express our support for the initiative to include the prohibition of abortion in our Constitution. This measure is a clear sign of the extent to which Maltese society is for life and against abortion.

Yet, we believe that legislation and prohibition by themselves alone are not enough. We need to be consistent and defend human life in all its forms, in full respect for the dignity and rights of all those who are weak, before and after birth.

It is not enough for our society to condemn and punish abortion. We need to implement concrete measures to help and support mothers and families in difficult situations before they start considering abortion as a solution to their problems.

Malta is set to sign the Council of Europe convention on bioethics, and Parliament will shortly discuss a law regulating this delicate area.

We understand that childless married couples who legitimately desire to become parents could benefit from scientific progress to realise this desire. But this has to be done in a way that protects the dignity and sacredness of human life from its very beginning.

While welcoming what science has to say about the beginning of human life, our option is always for total respect to the process of the beginning of life. We consider this to be one, uninterrupted process, concluded only by death. Since doubts and controversy still mark the discussion about the precise moment when individual human life starts, we opt for that position that offers the highest level of protection to human life.

Legislation should guarantee full respect both to the embryo from the very start of its human life, and to the parents by safeguarding their health, dignity and ultimate well being.

Alison Vella

Media Communications

Maltese Jesuit Province