Andy Drozdziak
The Catholic Church in Scotland has responded to proposals for a ban on conversion therapy by saying the law could create a “chilling effect”.
The Scottish Government launched a consultation document on its proposals this week, and while the Church was quick to stress that it supports measures which protect people from physical and verbal abuse, a Church spokesperson said “the state must respect the right of religious bodies to teach their beliefs and to support, through prayer,counsel and other pastoral means,their members who wish to live in accordance with those beliefs.”
The proposals detail ministers’plans to criminalise the practice,which sees people attempt to change or suppress the gender identity or sexual orientation of another person.
The proposals have raised concerns by the Catholic Church in Scotland, who identify a ‘lack of clarity’ as a real concern.
“The worrying lack of clarity about what is meant by the term conversion practices could create a chilling effect and may criminalise advice or opinion given in good faith,” a spokesperson for the Catholic Church said.
“We would urge the Scottish Government not to criminalise mainstream, religious, pastoral care; parental guidance; and medical or other professional intervention relating to sexual orientation; which is not approved by the State as acceptable.”
The document said those accused would have a defence if their actions could be proven to be “reasonable in the particular circumstances”.
The law would create new criminal offences of engaging in conversion practice, which can include both providing such a service and engaging in a course of coercive behaviour – as well as taking a person out of Scotland to engage in conversion practices.
Introducing the proposals, Equalities minister Emma Roddick said: “Conversion practices, which aim to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, are damaging and destructive acts that violate people’s human rights.
“Sadly, these practices still happen today and they have absolutely no place in Scotland.”
However, the Catholic church spokesperson expressed serious concern about the nature and scope of any such legislation and emphasised the importance of ‘religious bodies and organisations’ having the freedom to teach and counsel their beliefs and tenets.
The spokesperson said that ‘the Church will now take time to consider the consultation document with a view to submitting a response in due course.’
The Catholic Parliamentary Office said it intends to publish a guide on how to respond to the consultation, which closes on 2nd April, ‘in due course.’
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