“The 12,603 abortions performed in 2005 represent a sad accusation of those family policies we must have the courage to change”, declared Archbishop Mario Conti of Glasgow, commenting on the average annual number of abortions in Scotland. “They are figures – he said – that reveal that the ever greater facility of contraceptive methods, the ever more explicit sex education and ease of access to abortion, represent a disastrous recipe. Every interruption of pregnancy – continued the archbishop – represents the death of an unborn child and a personal tragedy involving mother and father. The time has come for a radical shift in policy. There are proofs that, both in the developing and in the industrialized world, pre-matrimonial chastity and fidelity are effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and abortions”. According to Archbishop Conti, “the young need to be well informed about sex. But they must be made aware not only of the methods but of the consequences of their actions. Our politicians must have the courage publicly to discourage precocious sexual activity. They must dare to promote abstinence”.
