(source: https://www.fiamc.org/vatican/episcopal-magisterium/poland-abortion-cannot-be-legally-permited/)
Abortion cannot be legally permitted due to the presence of mental disorders in the mother. In such cases, recognized and effective treatment methods should be used,” reads the Position of the Expert Team of the Polish Bishops Conference on Bioethics on the admissibility of abortion based on the premise of mental health.
The members of the Team of Experts strongly oppose the attempt to create a new interpretation of the existing law “aimed at broadening the criteria permitting the legal deprivation of life of an unborn child on psychiatric grounds, also because, in practice, this would mean renewed legalization of abortion on request, in addition through unconstitutional, extra-statutory manipulation.” They add that such an action contradicts Article 39 of the Code of Medical Ethics: “When taking medical action in a pregnant woman, the doctor is at the same time responsible for the health and life of her child. Therefore, the doctor must endeavor to preserve the health and life of the child also before birth”.
The Team members emphasize in the Position that “abortion cannot be legally permitted due to the presence of a mental disorder in the mother. In such cases, recognized and effective treatment methods should be used”. In doing so, they invoke the value of human life, regardless of its stage of development or state of health. “This is the position taken by every person with a properly formed conscience. It is also reflected in legal norms enacted in defense of respect for the fundamental rights of every human being, including the child, from the moment of conception,” the Position reads.