Andorra Says It Lacks Church Approval for Abortion Decriminalization Reform

Andorra's government has confirmed that it neither holds nor expects explicit approval from the Catholic Church for its proposed amendment to Article 117 of the Criminal Code on voluntary termination of pregnancy, according to Minister of Institutional Relations, Education and Universities Ladislau Baró.

Speaking to reporters, Baró said the government had pursued decriminalisation through dialogue with the Holy See in search of a formula that would preserve institutional stability, while the reform itself was drafted without the express consent of the Mitra—the Bishop of Urgell. "The Church's express conformity with the reform we do not have, nor do we expect it," he said, adding that the text was nonetheless presented and that the agreed scenario is the one put forward the previous week.

Baró said the government had "built a model" satisfying institutional balance while meeting its electoral commitment to decriminalise women who seek to terminate a pregnancy. The minister added that the government weighed various options during drafting but concluded the chosen path was the only one preserving institutional balance.

On criticism from the opposition and women's associations, Baró said the reaction had been "somewhat as expected" and was being considered with respect. He previously told reporters the government had delivered "strictly what the electoral programme says" and that he anticipated some response to the announcement.

Concòrdia leader Cerni Escalé joined the criticism, calling the reform "unacceptable" and arguing it could have been done "earlier and better," particularly during the papacy of Francis. He urged the government to go further by decriminalising doctors and including the service under the CASS public health system—a demand also raised by general councillor Maria Àngels Aché.

Asked whether his party would table amendments, Escalé said the decision would be assessed internally but that any amendments would be futile. "We could make 28 amendments, but we know not a single one will pass," he said, describing such an exercise as "irrelevant" political communication. He said the priority should instead be maintaining the party's commitment and advancing decriminalisation.

Under Andorra's co-principality arrangement, the Bishop of Urgell—referred to by Baró as "the Seu"—serves alongside the French head of state as joint head of state, a factor that has shaped the sensitivity surrounding the reform. Baró did not provide further details on the timeline or the specifics of the legislative process.