Is “Emergency Contraception” Licit? The German Bishops Discuss in Light of Recent Events

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 5:21 pm by Frank Weathers

Is “Emergency Contraception” Licit? The German Bishops Discuss in Light of Recent Events 2017-01-24T17:21:06-05:00 Frank Weathers

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Just in case you weren’t enjoying the whipsaw-like ride of the news cycle, this just in from Der Speigel,

The case of a young woman who was denied treatment by Catholic hospitals after she may have been raped has sparked a debate among German Catholics. At its heart is whether the Church should allow emergency contraceptive pills, or whether such drugs are equivalent to abortion.

The German Bishops’ Conference plans to re-evaluate its policy on emergency contraception, also known as the “morning-after pill,” following an incident in Cologne in which two Catholic hospitals denied treatment to a possible rape victim.

A spokeswoman for the Cologne archdiocese said the issue would “certainly be on the agenda” at a regular meeting of the bishops’ conference in the western town of Trier in two weeks, and that “the bishops’ conference must in principle agree on a common line.”

Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne changed course on the issue in a statement released last week, saying he had consulted with medical professionals on the precise effects of emergency contraceptive pills. He said he had concluded that the most recent forms of those medications prevent ovulation and fertilization. They do not, he concluded, prevent the implantation of an already-fertilized egg, which he said would still constitute an abortion and therefore be forbidden by Catholic doctrine. It is a conclusion which appears to be backed up, though not conclusively, by recent medical studies.

“If a medication that hinders conception is used after a rape with the purpose of avoiding fertilization, then this is acceptable in my view,” Meisner said. An accompanying statement by his office reiterated that the Church still forbids artificial contraception among married couples.

Only two morning-after pills are available in Germany, marketed as “elleOne” and “PiDaNa.” Both can prevent ovulation and weaken sperm in order to prevent fertilization. Medical authorities in the United States and Europe have approved labels for morning-after pills that state the drug may also discourage implantation of the embryo in the uterus, though that has been disputed by recent medical studies.

Morning-after pills must also be distinguished from abortifacient agents like mifepristone, which induces miscarriage in the early months of pregnancy. Such drugs are expressly forbidden by the Catholic Church.

Read the whole story. It will be interesting to learn the results of these discussions.

UPDATE

USSCB: Letter In Response To NY Times Article Of June 6, 2012,”No Abortion Role Seen For Morning-After Pill”

More thinking on contraception at the USSCB website.

Culture

Living

Emergency Birth Control Pill

German Bishops

In the News

Violence Against Women

Previous Post

February 5, 2013

What if the HHS Mandate Was For Unfettered Access to Pornography?

Next Post

February 6, 2013 A Message From Your Captain. This Is Only A Test...Do Not Be Alarmed!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog News Conversion Story Culture Learning Living Nature Prayer Uncategorized Working

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What did Jesus say to Lazarus to raise him?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Be healed! Lazarus, come out! Live again! Awake!