Germany updates: Cities brace for abortion, climate protests

Opponents of liberal abortion laws are to take part in protests entitled “March for Life” in the German cities of Berlin and Cologne, with Catholic bishops among those participating in the demonstratons.

Organizers have informed authorities that some 5,000 protesters will attend each of the two marches, which have been called by the anti-abortion organization Bundesverband Lebensrecht (BVL), a name that translates roughly to Federal Association for the Right to Life.

Counterprotests will also take place in both cities, with 2,000 people registered in Berlin and 1,000 in Cologne.

In the runup to the protests, the chairman of the Catholic German Bishops’ Conference, Georg Bätzing, wrote an approbatory greeting to participants.

The BVL, which includes 15 anti-abortion groups, said two leading Catholic figures will be taking part in the Berlin march: Regensburg Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer and Matthias Heinrich, an auxiliary bishop who serves in Berlin.

In the past, the participation of Catholic figures in the protests has sparked some controversy in the church itself, as far-right activists and parties often also take part.

Abortion in Germany is illegal except in cases when the life of the pregnant person is in danger. However, it is a nonpunishable crime during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if the person receives the mandatory counselling.

Regular efforts are made by leftist parties to liberalize the laws,but conservatives have so far remained adamant in their opposition.