An all-woman taskforce from the state capital's diocese has made a submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission, which is reviewing abortion laws.

In it, the taskforce has said abortion remains a serious moral issue, but it should not remain a matter for criminal law.

"In our view, public acceptance of the reality of abortion, including acceptance of the practice among women of diverse religious communities, indicates that a change in the law is timely."

Anglican Dean of Bendigo, the Very Reverend Peta Sherlock, told The Advertiser yesterday it was important to make a distinction between decriminalisation and legalisation.

"To want an abortion is not a crime for somebody who is in need - I think it's a no-brainer," she said.

Dean Sherlock conceded the move would be contentious within the church's ranks.

"I would never say abortion is a good thing, but I have supported a number of women in those cases and it is the lesser of two evils," she said.

"Is it worse to let a woman have a backyard job and go back to those days?"

The Reverend Ken Parker, of Castlemaine, said in some circumstances, abortion was the only right way.

"We need to stand in the shoes of the woman concerned and struggle to see what's right for them," he said.

The Reverend David McMillan, of Maldon parish, said the women's health would be at risk if abortion was not decriminalised because many would be forced to have operations in the "back yard."

The Melbourne submission's authors emphasised their thinking: "was framed within the context of the Bible as the word of God... and the pastoral practice of Anglican clergy."

The Law Reform Commission will report to state attorney-general Rob Hulls in March about decriminalisation options.