Sverigedemokraterna Urges Svenska kyrkan to Join Abortion Debate

Sverigedemokraterna (SD) has called for Svenska kyrkan to become more involved in discussions about abortion, emphasizing ethical considerations surrounding fetal rights and the sanctity of life. Daniel Engström, the group's leader within the church assembly, articulated that while the church should refrain from commenting on current abortion laws, it has a responsibility to engage in dialogue about the ethical implications of such issues.

In their recent manifesto, SD argues that the church lacks a solid theological basis regarding abortion, insisting that it should recognize the inherent value of life as created by God. This position, however, has not been accepted without controversy. Socialdemokraterna (S) has criticized SD's proposal, with church assembly leader Jesper Eneroth cautioning that it poses a threat to women's rights both within the church and in the broader society.

Engström, responding to these concerns, clarified that SD does not seek to challenge Swedish abortion laws but rather to foster a space for ethical discussions. He dismisses the criticism from S as a misunderstanding of their intentions, asserting that acknowledging the value of life does not inherently demand political changes on contentious issues like immigration or abortion laws.