British Parliament debates abortion counselling

The British Parliament was scheduled to debate a set of amendments to the health and social care bill which would require any pre-abortion counselling to be provided by independent agencies, instead of abortion providers.

Archbishop Peter Smith, the Chairman of the Department for Christian Responsibility and Citizenship at the bishops Conference for England and Wales, issued the following comment:

“Abortion is always a tragedy, and our society badly needs to foster a new understanding and approach to relationships, responsibility and mutual support if lasting change is to take place. It is not clear from the evidence what impact pre-abortion counselling in fact has, but it should be independent of abortion providers, properly resourced and allow alternatives to abortion to be fully explored.”

The pro-life charity LIFE said it supports the proposed amendments, and LIFE National Chairman, Professor Jack Scarisbrick, said abortion providers cannot provide truly independent counselling, since they have a financial interest in every abortion they provide.

“All pre-abortion counselling, therefore, should be the same … otherwise it isn't counselling. It is essential that we all - pro-life and pro-abortion - are mindful of the values that drive us and not deny their existence. Only then can we discuss pre-abortion counselling in any meaningful way,” he said.

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Niall Gooch, the education and research officer at the Pro-Life Charity LIFE: