British bishops denounce proposal to permit abortion, contraception ads

June 25, 2009

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics have denounced a proposal that would permit television and radio advertising for abortion and contraception.

“Our society is already failing young people by presenting an impoverished view of sex, too often entirely separated from any context of committed love and readiness for parenthood,” the bishops and the Linacre Centre write. “It is very important that this process is not encouraged by a willingness to advertise services which have already done enormous damage to perceptions of sex in our society. In the many cases where respect for life, as well as sex and marriage, is at issue, the situation is still more serious, since not only the rights of young people are at stake, but those of any child they conceive. Respect for life, sex and parenthood are central to a healthy society, and advertising standards should reflect this.”

 

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Further information:

• Bishops oppose proposal to allow advertising of abortion and contraceptives on broadcast media (Catholic Communications Network)
• Submission to Consultation on BCAP Broadcast Advertising Standards Code (Catholic Communications Network)