Reproductive Rights and Catholicism: The Cultural and Political Influence of Religion on Access to Abortion Rights

This thesis examines the legal, social, and cultural dimensions of abortion rights in Italy, with particular emphasis on the intersection between law, religion, and the effective realization of reproductive freedoms. The analysis begins with the Italian legal framework, examining the evolution of Law 194/1978, which regulates voluntary termination of pregnancy. This examination is then situated within the broader context of international legal instruments. Subsequently, the research investigates the influence of Catholicism and the Catholic Church, tracing its historical role through the Lateran Pacts and the 1984 Concordat, and highlighting how religious doctrine has shaped political and societal debates on reproductive rights. A significant attention is devoted to Catholic bioethics, which emphasizes the sanctity of life, often in tension with the recognition of women’s autonomy and self-determination. The thesis further explores the practical challenges of accessing abortion in Italy. These include the widespread recourse to conscientious objection among healthcare professionals, significant regional disparities in the availability of abortion services, and the central role of public family counselling centers in ensuring access to care and support. Additional obstacles, such as social stigma and religious pressure, are examined as factors that exacerbate existing inequalities. To provide a comparative perspective, the Italian case is contrasted with Sweden, a secular country where abortion access is less hindered by religious or cultural constraints. The conclusion of the study argues that, despite the legal recognition of abortion rights, structural, cultural and religious obstacles continue to undermine their effective implementation in Italy. It highlights the necessity of reinforcing institutional safeguards and promote a secular and right-based approach in order to guarantee equality and the full exercise of women’s reproductive freedoms to self-determinate themselves.