Tuesday December 2, 2003

Canadian Bishops Object to Making Abortifacient Morning After Pill Over-the-Counter

Say Women Have a Right to Know 'Emergency Contraception' Can Cause Abortion

OTTAWA, December 2, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Writing on behalf of the pro-life arm of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Baie Comeau Bishop Pierre Morissette sent concerns to Health Minister Anne McLellan Thursday over the Government's plan to allow the morning after pill over the counter in pharmacies.

Bishop Morissette, the Chairperson of the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), told the Health Minister that it is "inaccurate to refer to this pill as emergency contraception, given its potential to act as an abortifacient." He continued, "Women have a right to know that what is described as "emergency contraception" may in reality be a form of early abortion."

The letter concludes, "Given that the morning after pill may act as an abortifacient, and because it may pose physical risks to women without in any way addressing the emotional and psychological distress they may be experiencing, we ask you to reconsider the proposal to make the morning after pill available 'over the counter'. How can it possibly be in the best interests of Canadian women to make this pill widely available without accurate information from Health Canada and without adequate safeguards for women and their unborn children."

See the full COLF letter at:
http://colf.cccb.ca/PublicStatements.htm?CD=&ID=489

URL: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/dec/03120202.html

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