Andorran Catholics petition nuncio over abortion decriminalization

In November a group of Andorran Catholics sent a certified letter to the Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, Piero Pioppo, who resides in Madrid, requesting a meeting to express their opposition to the proposed decriminalization of abortion. After weeks without an official reply, the signatories feared the letter had been set aside.

When one of the signers phoned the nunciature to confirm receipt, staff said the letter had been received but asked that the request be resent by e‑mail. The group said they were surprised that a registered postal letter was not regarded as sufficient and subsequently forwarded the text again by e‑mail, attaching the original document.

The letter, signed by people who identify themselves as “a group of Catholic faithful of the Principality of Andorra, deeply committed to the defence of life,” asks for “dialogue, communion and constant mutual listening.” It says the legislative proposal to decriminalize abortion has caused “serious moral and pastoral concern” among them and stresses that “truth advances through communion and mutual listening.”

Citing Article 8 of the Andorran Constitution — which states that the right to life is inviolable and protected in all its phases — the authors argue that any legislative change that ignores that principle would violate not only the Constitution but also the country’s moral and spiritual identity. They state their position “with humility and respect” and affirm their fidelity to the Church’s teaching on the defence of life.

The group asks for a meeting, either in person or by videoconference, with the nuncio to explore ways to collaborate in providing pastoral support to women and families in difficulty while maintaining advocacy for the right to life. During a related Vatican visit at the end of October, Prime Minister Xavier Espot and Minister of Institutional Relations Ladislau Baró were told by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, to adopt a more discreet approach to the political handling of the issue.