The Church and the Law: Catholic Ecclesiology and Its Influence on Bioethical Legislation in Contemporary Europe

This article examines the normative influence of the Catholic Church on contemporary legal systems in Europe, with particular emphasis on bioethical legislation concerning abortion, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. Referring to ecclesiology and the tradition of natural law, this study explores how Catholic moral doctrine shapes or challenges public law in countries with a strong Catholic heritage. A comparative legal method is applied to the legislation of three countries—Poland, France, and the Netherlands—representing distinct models of the relationship between religion and law. The analysis also addresses the tensions between the Church’s teachings and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, highlighting differences in the understanding of human rights, moral authority, and legal pluralism. The findings suggest that, although the Church maintains significant influence in certain jurisdictions, its normative authority is increasingly challenged by secular and pluralistic approaches, particularly in the context of protecting individual dignity and enacted law.