German Catholic Church May Approve ‘Morning-After Pill’
Paris – The Catholic Church in Germany may be backing the “morning-after pill”.
After Cardinal Joachim Meisner unexpectedly announced they did not induce abortions and could be used in Catholic hospitals, the Catholic Church may be approving some morning-after pills for rape victims.
As reported by The Inquisitr, this follows shortly after the German Catholic Church enacted a “pay to pray” policy.
An ally of German-born Pope Benedict, Cologne’s Cardinal Meisner changed his policy after two Catholic hospitals refused to treat a rape victim. They could not prescribe “morning-after pills”, which are taken after sex to avoid pregnancy.
According to Yahoo News, Cologne archdiocese spokeswoman Nele Harbeke said on Monday:
“The German Bishops’ Conference is holding a regular meeting in two weeks and the issue will certainly be on the agenda. The bishops’ conference must in principle agree on a common line.”
In the past Cardinal Meisner, 79, has rejected emergency contraceptives for inducing abortions. The “morning-after pills” have become a major issue in the United States. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, many oppose President Obama’s health reform saying it mandates Catholic hospitals to provide birth control for female employees.
Marketed as “Plan B” in the United States, one such pill is rejected by these critics as pro-abortion, but might meet Cardinal Meisner’s criteria.
According to Reuters, Meisner said he had reconsidered after scientists reported that some of the newer pills did not cause abortion but rather prevented fertilization:
“If a medication that hinders conception is used after a rape with the purpose of avoiding fertilization, then this is acceptable in my view.”
Association official Thomas Vortkamp said:
“We are still against the abortion pill. But it helps to know we can give a ‘morning-after pill’ in cases of raped women who must be helped urgently.”
Do you think the Catholic Church in Germany should accept the use of “morning-after pills”?
German cardinal changes morning-after pill stance: Germany’s Catholic Church may approve some morning-after pill… bit.ly/11BO9ec
— Azaleano Portal News (@AzaleaNetwork) February 4, 2013
