” “The Portuguese Bishops are about to publish a pastoral note on artificial insemination in response to the new Act that has recently been passed by Parliament. This was announced by the Catholic agency "Ecclesia", saying the document will be published to "offer guidance to the Catholic devotees". "The Act does not agree with the moral requirements of Christianity, and this is why we apply the social doctrine of the Church to the Portuguese situation", said father Carlos Azevedo, secretary of the Portuguese Bishops Conference (Cep). "Heterologous fertilisation and the donation of embryos", as provided for by the new Act, he stated, are "against Catholic morality", and the devotees must not use them. In addition, according to the Bishops, "the use of supernumerary embryos for scientific research is not morally legitimate". As to support to couples who cannot have children, the CEP secretary said that "physical sterility is not an absolute evil, and couples can find different ways to accomplish their married life, which comply with what is recommended and protect the dignity of the human being". As to the forthcoming referendum on abortion, father Azevedo, on behalf of the Bishops, hopes people will have "a mature conscience" and launched an appeal to vote "against". ” “
