Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lima (Fides Service) - In view of a national debate in Peru on the distribution of the “Day after Pill” the standing council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference issued a statement “Day after Pill, citizens demand responisble and truthful imformation”, dated 16 September. The Bishops called on the government to make decisions in this regard according to the criteria of objectivity, transparency, and consequently to guarantee complete and truthful information.
The Bishops say that basic scientific information on the Day After Pill is being repeatedly and systematically withheld particularly with regard to the Pill’s abortive effect. The Bishops say the Peruvian health ministry gives information on only a few scientific studies interpreting the findings with tendentiousness. This attitude is deceitful in two ways: it leads people to think that scientific debate on the matter has concluded whereas on the contrary it continues, and secondly too few studies were taken into consideration.
The Church in Peru strongly rejects discriminating statements that people with religious convictions are opposed to scientific progress and renews its commitment to protect life from the moment of conception to natural end underlining that “the state’s duty to guarantee the common good includes stopping the spread of behaviour which violates human rights and fundamental norms of civil harmony”. (RZ) (Agenzia Fides 19/9/2005, righe 20 parole 251)
