ROME, June 13: An emotionally charged referendum intended to dismantle Italy’s strict law on assisted fertility failed on Monday due to low turnout, in what was widely seen as a victory for the Roman Catholic Church. Just under 26 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot during two days of voting — leaving the referendum far short of the quorum of 50 per cent plus one.

Bishops had urged a boycott of the poll and priests had used pulpits to rally the faithful behind the slogan: “Life cannot be put to a vote: Don’t vote”.

“The Italian people who know how to defend life have won,” said Maria Burani Procaccini, a lawmaker from the centre-right, thanking the Church for “acting with conviction and force”.

The new law, passed last year, is the most restrictive in Europe. It bans egg and sperm donations as well as embryo research and freezing, and allows only three eggs at a time to be fertilized in the test tube.

The referendum was seen as a test of the Church’s influence in Italy at a time when it is losing clout in Europe.

In his first foray into Italian politics since he was elected in April, Pope Benedict threw his support behind bishops leading the campaign for a boycott, calling them “truly good pastors”.

—Reuters