"The Church and the Family in the Challenge of Upbringing" was the theme focused on by the VIII General Congregation of the Extraordinary Synod on the Family, on Thursday afternoon in the Vatican. Among the dozens of comments expressed by the Synod Fathers, special consideration was given to the ambiguous expression "rights to sexual and reproductive health", endorsed by a number of countries and organizations around the world: in fact this expression "does not have a precise definition in international law and ends up encompassing mutually contradictory principles such as the condemnation of forced abortion and the promotion of safe abortion, or the protection of maternity and the promotion of contraception. Also without any binding value, the promotion of such ‘rights‘ represents a risk, as it may influence the interpretation of other norms, especially in combating discrimination against women."

Summary of the debate in the aula (ITA-ENG-ESP-FRA)