Catholic primary school children as young as eight could be taught access to abortion after a new RSHP redraft removed the “Denominational Education” exemption clause. The Scottish Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has condemned the move and demanded that the relevant paragraphs be reinstated.
A draft of updated Guidance on Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education in Scottish schools has removed all reference to the exemption previously granted to Catholic schools, specifically paragraphs 38-41, as well as other schools with a religious ethos.
If the new draft is approved, Catholic schools in Scotland would be obliged to teach abortion to children aged 11, or possibly even younger “for some”, even if the teaching contradicts the pro-life ethos of the school.
The Roman Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has “strongly” disapproved of the removal of the exemption and has requested that the “Denominational Education” paragraphs be reinserted into the draft.
The Bishops’ Conference is urging the public to respond to the ongoing consultation on the RSHP draft guidance, the deadline for submissions being 23 November.
“Let’s talk about abortion”
Under RSHP guidance, abortion is taught to Scottish secondary school children starting at the age of 11, though the same guidance states that “it can be earlier or later for some”, implying that primary school children could be taught about abortion, and that “it is the role of the teacher/facilitator to decide when a young person or group should be learning at this Level”.
An “Abortion activity plan” for Levels 3 & 4 (Secondary Level) stipulates that one outcome should be that children as young as 11 should “know how to access [abortion] services”.
A film, “Let’s Talk about Abortion”, is also included as an educational resource, available on Youtube, which children are shown.
Moreover, a reading list accompanying RSPH guidance for primary school children includes Robie Harris’s book “Let’s Talk About Sex”, including a chapter normalising abortion. Books on the RSHP reading list, including “Let’s Talk About Sex”, mirror the same books recommended to children by abortion giant Planned Parenthood.
This is not education but indoctrination in abortion
SPUC’s Michael Robinson, Executive Director (Public Affairs and Legal Services), said: “Forcing abortion down the throats of children aged 11, and perhaps even younger, isn’t about education but indoctrination.
“Abortion ideologues seek to expand their empire at every opportunity, which is even now encroaching on schools with a clear pro-life ethos – an anti-abortion, pro-family ethic that extremists want to stamp out forever; a similar attempt is currently taking place in Northern Ireland.
“It is of no surprise that RSHP guidance echoes the same propaganda pumped out by the abortion industry, which such “education” ultimately serves, while purposely undermining the pro-life ethos of schools and parents wanting to protect children from the harmful effects of abortion.
“It is vital that we resist this attack on the innocence and well-being of children threatened by activists in league with the abortion industry. SPUC supports the Scottish Bishops’ Conference of Scotland demand that the exemption clause, paragraphs 38-41, be reinstated. The pro-life ethos of parents, schools and religions must be respected.”