Catholic bishops in Scotland opposed report on banning conversion therapy

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Expert advisories to Scotland government in a report called for ban on conversion therapy.

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops, Religion Media Center reported,  have issued a statement saying the conclusions of the Scottish Government’s expert advisory group on “Ending Conversion Practices” are gravely concerning.

It says that in a free society, the state recognizes and respects the right of religious bodies and organizations to be free to teach their beliefs and to support their members who wish to live in accordance with those beliefs.

But they say that, if accepted, the views of the expert group would outlaw pastoral care relating to sexual orientation and gender identity and criminalise mainstream religious pastoral care unless it was approved by the State as acceptable.

It urges the Scottish government to reject the report.