BHA: Humanists welcome sexual heallth charities condemnation of Holy See’s policies

The Pope’s statements and teachings on sexuality, sexual health and well-being have been condemned by leading UK sexual health charities, fpa and the National AIDS Trust (NAT).

In an open letter, fpa and NAT state they are using the Pope’s visit to the UK – which coincides with Sexual Health Awareness Week – to highlight the damaging effects of his position on the use of modern contraception, abortion, and same-sex relationships.

The letter has been welcomed by the British Humanist Association (BHA) as a timely indication of the wide opposition against the international policies of the Holy See.

Andrew Copson, BHA Chief Executive, commented: ‘The Holy See’s international promotion of the doctrinal position of the Catholic Church towards sex and sexual health destroys many lives. Opposition to the distribution of condoms as part of AIDS prevention programmes, restricted access to abortion which disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable women, and opposition to equality for gay people are just some of the reasons for widely shared objection to extending a state visit to the Pope.’

‘Today’s open letter from expert sexual health organisations demonstrates the wide opposition to the destructive policies of the Pope and the Holy See and is a welcome, timely and important contribution.’

Notes

You can read a copy of the open letter here.

For further comment or information, please contact Andrew Copson on 07534 248596 or ndrew@humanism.org.uk

You can Take Action! and email your MP here www.humanism.org.uk

The BHA is a member of the Protest the Pope Campaign which protests against the state visit of the Pope to the UK www.protest-the-pope.org.uk

The BHA and other members of the Protest the Pope campaign are not against the Pope coming to the UK as a religious leader. Our opposition is to the visit being a state visit, with the British people footing the bill.

The British Humanist Association is the national charity representing and supporting the interests of ethically concerned, non-religious people in the UK. It is the largest organisation in the UK campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief, and for a secular state.