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Introduction
The letter states that the bishops are "re-stating well-known ethical stands and
principles supported by precise scientific documentation and by Catholic ethical
doctrine". Since the mechanism of the drug may include an abortifacient effect,
readers are first reminded that "article 22.2 of the Constitution of the
Republic of Uganda affirms and protects the right to life of the unborn child".
The bishops explain that
"absolute opposition to all abortive practices applies also to the distribution,
spread, prescription and assumption of the ECP" and that moral responsibility extends
to direct co-operation in promoting the drug. Thus, the bishops ask "health
workers and decision makers to claim and exercise their right of moral objection to the
use and promotion of this drug."
Significant problems have
already arisen in western countries where objecting health care workers are having to
struggle in professional associations, legislatures, and courts to assert their freedom of
conscience.1 From time to time
is is seriously suggested that conscientious objectors should leave their professions or
even their countries.2
Statements from religious authorities can be of great importance in explaining and
supporting the position of conscientious objectors, who (particularly in the case of the
'morning after pill') form a vulnerable minority within their professions, and do not
enjoy the economic and political power available to those marketing the services or
products.
See also the statement on the
'morning after pill' from the Pontifical Academy for Life
(the Vatican).
The "Emergency
Contraceptive Pill -- ECP":
An Appeal to Reason and Sincerity
Kampala, 23rd March 2001
Brothers and sisters,
The national media have advertised that the Commercial Marketing Strategies (CMS) a U.S.
funded social marketing project, is introducing emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) in six
districts of Uganda on a pilot basis (Bushenyi, Iganga, Masaka, Mbarara, Mpigi and
Kampala). The ECP,
also known as "the morning after pill", is a chemical product of hormonal
nature. It is increasingly presented and marketed as a contraceptive (i.e.: preventing
conception) that could be used in emergency situations after sexual intercourse in order
to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. In reality, and because of the way it is used, it is an
abortive product.
Considering that the use of such a product
touches fundamental human values to the point of affecting human life at its beginning,
this Conference feels the urgent need and duty to offer some clarifications on the issue.
In doing this, we are only re-stating well-known ethical stands
and principles supported by precise scientific documentation and by Catholic ethical
doctrine. At the same time this gives us the opportunity to express considerations and
pastoral concerns that have been growing in us, and to make an appeal.
Clarifications
1. The ECP in the form marketed in Uganda is a hormonal product (a progestinic hormone)
that needs to be taken within 72 hours after a potentially fertile sexual intercourse.
When so taken, the ECP prevents the fertilized egg implanting in the uterus (nidation) by
altering the internal wall of this organ, and provokes its expulsion from the uterus.
Only when the ECP is taken before ovulation can it prevent the production of the
egg, and therefore work as a "contraceptive". Otherwise the ECP works as
"anti-nidatory" drug. Nidation is the process through which a fertilized egg
(i.e. already containing the chromosomic material of both the mother and the father)
finds his/her adequate place of growth in the internal layer of the wall of the mother's
uterus.
2. The distinction made by scientists between "fertilized egg",
"embryo" and "foetus" for the purpose of distinguishing different
phases of the same process (in scientific terms, pregnancy is the process that begins with
the fertilization of the egg and ends with childbirth), cannot be used to distinguish
between the "value" of the different stages of development of the same human
being. Conception occurs when a spermatozoon enters the wall of an egg and genetic
materials from the father and the
mother join. From then on, a totally new life begins, distinct from that of the father and
the mother. It is this new life that progresses to stages of development, exactly as
happens to a child who becomes an adolescent and then develops into an adult human being.
Therefore it is never licit to decide arbitrarily that the human being has different
values in his/her different stages of development after fertilization has occurred. Hence
the duty of all human beings and of legislation to protect
human life at all stages of its development, from its very beginning at conception. We
wish to remind everybody here that article 22.2 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Uganda affirms and protects the right to life of the unborn child.
3. The argument that the ECP is a contraceptive pill is not founded on evidence. The
intended use and actual effect of the ECP is the expulsion of a fertilized egg, and
therefore nothing else but an abortion procured by chemical means. The fact that the woman
does not know when she takes it
whether fertilization has occurred or not does not change the ethical relevance of the
matter: the pill is taken to prevent the progress of pregnancy in case fertilization has
occurred, and not to prevent the fertilization.
4. As a consequence we wish to re-state the Catholic ethical position: the same absolute
opposition to all abortive practices applies also to the distribution, spread,
prescription and assumption of the ECP. Moral responsibility extends also to all those
who, regardless of their intention, directly co-operate in the promotion of the use of
ECP.
5. Taking into account the announced marketing of
ECP and all attempts, past and future, to introduce into our Country hidden forms of
aggression against human life and in particular its most defenceless form, the human
zygote and embryo, we request to all health workers and decision makers to claim and
exercise their right of moral objection to the use and promotion of this drug, giving
courageous witness of the absolute value of human life. It is the time for Christians and
for all those who uphold the same values, to voice their convictions and concerns, and act
accordingly.
6. We wish also to re-state our conviction, and consequently alert all the faithful, in
line with the Encyclical Letter "Evangelium Vitae" n 13, that there is an
intrinsic connection, not only of a cultural nature, but more and more evidently also of a
technical nature, between contraceptive practices and abortion. They are distinct fruits
of the same tree, and progressively less distinct. The subtlety by which the ECP is
presented as a contraceptive, while it is, and is used as, an abortive product,
confirms this connection and calls for renewed vigilance by all the Christian faithful.
Considerations
1. It is sad that the day chosen for the launching of the marketing strategy of the ECP
was the 8th March, Women's day, as if this new strategy could mark, in some way, a further
step on the path of women's liberation. Too often women, very frequently girls, have to
bear in their bodies and in their souls the consequences of the irresponsible practice of
sexuality. True liberation is not achieved by adding to those the burden of the
suppression of a human life: this will only deepen the wound
already inflicted.
2. In addition, there is the exposure of the woman's body to a hormonal drug whose
side-effects, especially in the case of repeated use, are very serious, so much so that
those proposing the use of the drug feel the need to caution about its repeated use. We
ask the concerned health authorities
to clarify the grounds on which this drug obtained approval for sale in Uganda. We also
ask them to clarify how they consider its abortive use in relation to current legislation
as regards abortion. We know that the ECP is an extremely controversial matter in many
societies and that an ample
debate accompanied by complete information took place before its introduction or
rejection. We did not see any of this in Uganda. Why?
3. With regards to the rights of women, we wonder
if they are being respected when women are misled into believing that with the ECP they
are not killing their child, but only preventing its conception; and that there will be no
consequences for their health. Isn't this a new, more
sophisticated and disguised form of violence, perpetrated on those who are provided with
partial and misleading information?
Appeal
We are convinced that only a consistent and unambiguous process of education to a correct
and wholly human practice of sexuality can stop the spread in our society of the kind of
behaviour that leads to "unwanted pregnancies" and to other dramatic
consequences like HIV/AIDS. So we feel
the need to renew our appeal to all women and men of goodwill, to parents, to educators,
to pastors, to all actors in civil society to accept the evidence that there are no short
cuts in the process of integral human development. We ask them to renew efforts and
initiatives in support of
families and of the education of youth. The growth of a mature human personality depends
on a culture, on a tradition handed on from generation to generation, on unambiguous
values consistently upheld and witnessed by mature persons: fathers, mothers, educators,
role-models... that the youth
encounter on their path. When a society yields to the temptation of considering this
process too demanding, out of reach, unrealistic and opts for illusory short cuts, that
society has planted in itself the seed of its destruction. We appeal to all women and men
of good will, and to the youth, to resist this new form of aggression against life, and
others that may occur, by promoting a right knowledge of facts and evidences and by
actively proposing them.
Conclusion
The most evident, undeniable and greatest gift of the Creator to humanity is the gift of
life. Accepting it means acceptance of a responsibility for the method chosen by the
Creator to continue bestowing this gift on humanity: human sexuality. Only a full
understanding of the unicity and
demands of human sexuality, and the consequent efforts to uphold and practice the values
thus derived can build a healthy society. This is the task we all have. Responsibility
means responding to a gift received with an open mind and heart and pursuing consistent
practices of life. All short-cuts and answers to the problems of life that do not stem
from this responsibility
are destined to add sorrow to sorrow, problem to problem, grief to grief, in an endless
chain of self-inflicted suffering. Our intention in this statement is that of raising
awareness since a level of alert has been reached. Our words are not a condemnation: but
an appeal to reason and sincerity.
+ Emmanuel Card. Wamala
Archbishop of Kampala
Prelate of the Catholic Church in Uganda
Notes from the Introduction
1. For example, Project
Report 2001-01; pharmacist
fired; nurse
dismissed; pharmacists
threatened with discipline, Repression
of Conscience. [Back]
2. For example,
Doctor's
abortion view cost him job; Administrator's
presentation [Back]
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