A Pastoral Letter detailing the Church's position and objections to the so-called "morning after pill" will be made available to all Catholics at their local parishes in the coming weeks.

The Letter, which is signed by all eight Scottish Catholic Bishops, restates the objection to the morning after pill as a "chemically-induced abortion" and the bishops point out that "the Church cannot remain silent on this issue, given the serious nature of what is being proposed". The Letter also calls on doctors, pharmacists, parents and teenagers "to reflect on what is being proposed and to exercise their conscientious right of objection".

The bishops also voice their concern that the introduction of this measure will have a detrimental effect on the family. The Letter states: "The family is the proper place for discussion and support of teenagers coming to terms with their sexual development. Families today need much encouragement and support to carry out their responsibilities in this area".

"Instead they are being sidelined. By offering over-the-counter potentially abortifacient drugs to 16 year olds, parental rights are being undermined and family bonds weakened".

"If our teenagers feel that they are so unimportant that we can leave this aspect of their healthcare to a 10-minute chat in a busy pharmacy, with a pharmacist who cannot carry out any physical examination, or consult medical records, we are sending out a regrettable and dangerous message to a highly vulnerable group."

The bishops conclude by saying that the Church hopes that an approach may be found which "gives a proper role to the family and which provides teenagers with accurate information and guidance to allow them to resist peer pressure and make positive moral choices."


The intention to issue a Pastoral Letter on this subject was indicated in the statement issued by the Scottish bishops on Wednesday 27th December 2000.

Read the Pastoral Message