Feminist Looking Glass

Italy is one of the last European countries to make RU486 available.  The pill was approved by Italy’s pharmaceutical agency in July, but, because of intense opposition by the Vatican (a Catholic bishop had threatened women who used it, doctors who prescribed it, and those who encouraged its use with excommunication). and the Italian government itself, it had to go through a parliamentary inquiry.  Now, it has been given final approval, but with major limitations.  In contrast to other countries, Italy is requiring that the pill be administered only in hospitals and that the woman must stay in the hospital until the drug has taken full effect.

Being required to go to a hospital is, obviously, a major problem.  It seems especially strange in light of the fact that Italy already “permits surgical abortion on demand in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and then until the 24th week only if the foetus has a genetic deficiency or to preserve the mother’s health.”

Certainly, a deal must have been worked out with the Vatican.  And, if the Vatican was not its usual hypocritical self, we would expect that those who it threatened with excommunication for taking the pill, prescribing the pill, and encouraging its use would still be excommunicated, wouldn’t we?  I won’t hold my breath waiting to see that from the Vatican.

Filed under: Abortion, Health, Reproductive Rights Tagged: | Abortion, Catholic Church, Italy, RU486