Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled against a proposal that could have paved the way for the decriminalisation of abortion across the country.

In a 4-1 decision handed down last week, the court’s first bench voted down a proposal to uphold a lower court decision from the state of Veracruz. The Veracruz decision ordered the state legislature to reform its criminal code and remove any penalties for abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Justice Norma Pina, who voted with the majority against the proposal, voiced concerns that the court could not order another branch of government – the Veracruz legislature – to take certain actions or act as lawmakers.

“The court cannot replace the legislature to order specific legislative content, because there is no constitutional mandate to legislate,” Pina said, according to the newspaper Reforma.

“The court would fall into judicial activism,” Pina added, “which would surpass its constitutional powers.”

The Mexican bishops’ conference welcomed the decision, tweeting immediately afterward: “Today in #Mexico, a culture of life triumphs, thanks to everyone and each of you who joined together to pray and raise their voices. May life live!”