“The artificial sterilization of persons for family planning purposes itself raises serious moral doubts. According to the Christian conviction, God created man and woman in his image and likeness; so their dignity brings with it an obligation to protect and respect life and defend the integrity and health of the person”, declared the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference in a statement issued at the end of the ordinary assembly held in Budapest in recent days. The statement concerns, in particular, the reform of the law on artificial sterilization that came into force on 1st June. The new law – explains the Hungarian Catholic press agency Magyar Kurir – abolishes the restrictions that hitherto permitted only persons over the age of 35 or with three natural children to have recourse to sterilization. Now the minimum age coincides with the maximum age, i.e. 18. Other issues discussed by the bishops at their assembly: the publication in the near future of the Hungarian translation of the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. From 19 to 21 June, the Austrian and Hungarian bishops will participate in a meeting in the Marian sanctuary at Mariazell, to strengthen bilateral relations. The date of 17 September has been decided on for the beatification of Sára Salkaházi, of the Institute of Sisters of Assistance.
