Catholics denounce move to curb doctors' objections to abortions

Published: 2008-07-01

LONDON (CNS) -- Catholic officials have denounced proposals made by the British Medical Association that would strip them of their right to refuse to arrange abortions. "The right of conscience is a fundamental human right. ... The doctor's right to act according to his conscience remains firmly embedded both in medical practice and in the law," said Archbishop Peter Smith of Cardiff, Wales, in a July 1 statement to Catholic News Service. Archbishop Smith is head of the Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Under the proposals, doctors would no longer be able to conscientiously object to authorizing abortions but will be compelled to send any woman requesting the procedure directly to an agency or a physician offering the procedure. It is expected that the move will be discussed by the association's policymaking body July 10 at its annual general meeting.

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