What is Pro-Life?

For the Catholic Church in Scotland “pro-life” covers issues at the beginning and end of life and focusses on the groups most threatened by abortion, embryo experimentation and euthanasia.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”

(Jeremiah 1:5)

Why Pro-Life?

Pro-Life issues are the most important social concern for the Church today.  There are over 16,000 abortions per year in Scotland.

Women in the most deprived areas have abortion rates double those in the least deprived areas. In recent years, abortion rates in poor areas have increased by 25% while those for wealthier areas have fallen by 1%.

The Scottish Bishops highlight Pro-Life as “the most basic and fundamental human right”, Pope Francis speaks strongly on the issue and Christifideles Laici, on the role of the laity, highlights pro-life as the most important human rights work requiring “maximum determination.” (n38)

“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.”

 

(Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2270)

The Life Issues Working Group of the Marriage, Family and Life Office responds to this situation by building a culture of life among clergy and laity, making pro-life a natural part of parish life.  The approach is positive, based on the intrinsic value of life at all stages.

Contact the Life Issues Working Group: [email protected]