The Catholic Church in South Korea has mounted a strong response to government plans to legalize abortion, launching a nationwide campaign of silent prayer vigils.
President Lee Jae-myung’s administration recently adopted a 123-point program that includes proposals such as changing the term “abortion” to “termination of pregnancy,” “legalizing the termination of pregnancy,” and “introducing the abortion pill.”
The government said the initiative aims to “guarantee women’s health safety and rights” by improving laws and systems related to abortion, according to a report by Fides News Agency.
The measures follow the 2019 ruling by the Constitutional Court that declared the law penalizing women and doctors “unconstitutional,” effectively decriminalizing abortion but leaving a legislative gap.
For the first time since that decision, legalization has formally entered the government’s agenda.
Bishop Moon Chang-woo, chairman of the Committee for Family and Life of the Korean Bishops’ Conference, renewed the Church’s opposition, calling for “policies that protect both women and fetuses, and that guarantee the right of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to conscientious objection.”
In response, the Church launched the “40 Days of Prayer for Life” initiative. Fides reported that faithful are gathering in squares, streets, and symbolic public places—such as the entrance to Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul—to hold signs in defense of life and pray silently until November 2. Priests, consecrated persons, and lay people are all taking part.
Professor Maria Kim Kyung-ah, a nursing professor at Incheon Catholic University and coordinator of the initiative, told Fides that Christians from different denominations, as well as non-Christians, are joining the vigils.
“The government’s agenda diminishes the precious value of pregnancy and childbirth, presenting birth as if it were a manufactured product,” she said.
Domenico Savio Jo Young-ho, a doctoral student at Incheon National University active in the pro-life movement, said the silent prayer seeks to foster reflection on “the deep desire for everyone’s life to be protected,” adding that he hopes “young Koreans will join the initiative.”
The National Coalition for the Protection of Fetuses and Women, an alliance of 70 civic organizations from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, has also launched a signature campaign aimed at the National Assembly to block any bill favoring abortion or the abortion pill.
The Pro-Life Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul will promote the campaign in parishes and encourage the faithful to sign.
