Italian Referendum Fails; Bishops' Strategy Successful

From Catholic World News:

Jun. 13 (CWNews.com) - Nearly 3 out of 4 eligible Italian voters declined to participate in a nationwide referendum on June 12 and 13, according to early unofficial results. Because of the low voter turnout, the referendum results will not be legally binding, and the Italian bishops appear to have scored a significant political victory.

The referendum was the result of a campaign to overturn restrictive aspects of Italy's "Law #40," which was passed in 2004 to regulate the practice of in vitro fertilization. The Italian bishops - with the support of Pope Benedict XVI - had encouraged Catholic voters to abstain from the vote.