German cardinal was misled on effects of 'morning-after pill,' top doctor charges

February 08, 2013

Public comments by Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne were manipulated in stories that the German cardinal was approving the use of the “morning-after pill” in Catholic hospitals, according to the president of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations.

Dr. Jose Maria Simon Castellvi told EWTN News that Cardinal Meisner was misinformed about the effects of the “morning-after pill.” The cardinal had said that use of the pill was permissible in rape cases, since the pill was designed to prevent conception rather than cause abortion. But in fact, Dr. Simon said, “the morning-after pill works as an anti-implantation product in 70% of the cases where the woman is fertile.” By preventing implantation in the womb, the drug causes the destruction of the human embryo: an early abortion.

The German bishops are scheduled to discuss the use of the "morning-after pill" in Catholic hospitals at their regular meeting later this month.

 

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Further information:

• Doctor says Cardinal Meisner's contraception statement was manipulated (EWTN)
• German cardinal approves 'morning-after pill' for rape victims in Catholic hospitals (CWN, 2/4)