SCOTLAND’S CATHOLIC BISHOPS URGE FAITHFUL TO VOTE PRO-LIFE AND PRO-FAMILY

EDINBURGH, April 17, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a letter being distributed to all parishes in Scotland over the next two weeks, Scotland’s Catholic Bishops highlight the need for participation in the political process and provide guidance for those deciding how to vote.  Topping the list of concerns for the Bishops in giving guidance to the faithful in casting their vote was the family.  “The importance of the family to the well being of the nation is critical, yet many threats to the welfare of the family exist in our society today, in particular attempts to redefine the nature of the family and weaken the bonds of marriage,” said the letter.  Also denounced were policies forcing sex education on children and providing abortifacients and contraceptives to children.  “Specific initiatives of concern are those, which effectively usurp the role of parents in educating their children in matters of sexuality even to the point of providing contraceptives and abortifacients to children with neither parental knowledge nor consent.”  With regard to health care, the bishops noted that programs which offer free contraceptives and abortifacients cannot be supported.  See the full letter online at:  https://www.scmo.org.uk/media_office/press/03/1604/Bishops_Letter.asp