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MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, NOV. 8, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Uruguay are making plans for how they will confront the Senate's decision Tuesday in favor of legislation that would decriminalize abortion.

According to the ANSA news agency, the prelates began a meeting Wednesday to consider legal actions that could stop an eventual application of the measure, should the House of Deputies also decide in favor of it. One option under consideration is citizen petition, followed by a referendum.

President Tabaré Vázquez promised a veto for any pro-abortion legislation when he took office in 2005.

Bishop Pablo Galimberti of Salto told the El País newspaper that the Church "rejects that which violates the fundamental and first human right, the right to life."

"We are going to continue denouncing this," he said, "given that human rights are ever more vulnerable; today we are dealing with the unborn, tomorrow it could be children, elderly or black people."

Since 1938, Uruguay has allowed abortion only in cases of rape or if the mother's life is in danger.