In a U-turn on proposed policy, Britain’s pharmacy regulator has declared that Catholic pharmacists should not be forced to dispense lethal drugs against their consciences.
The General Pharmaceutical Council, the regulatory body that sets professional standards for the industry, has backed away from proposals to abolish the right of people with religious convictions to conscientiously object to dispensing the morning-after pill, contraceptives or hormone-blocking drugs used by transsexual patients.
In guidance issued last week, it says: “Professionals have the right to practise in line with their religion, personal values or beliefs as long as they act in accordance with equalities and human rights law and make sure that person-centred care is not compromised.
“It is important that pharmacy professionals work in partnership with their employers and colleagues to consider how they can practise in line with their religion, personal values and beliefs without compromising care. This includes thinking in advance about the areas of their practice which may be affected and making the necessary arrangements, so they do not find themselves in the position where a person’s care could be compromised,” it said.
The initial proposals, published in December, sought to “shift the balance” away from the pharmacists’ conscience rights towards “the needs and rights of the person in their care”.
The plans were criticised by the bishops’ conference of England and Wales.
Helen Watt, of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, welcomed the new guidance, but said that it was still “very worrying” because it recommends that pharmacists refer patients for services when the pharmacist objects.
Missing Indian priest found dead on beach in Scotland
Edinburgh police have found the body of an Indian priest serving in Scotland on a beach in East Lothian.Fr Martin Xavier Vazhachira went missing on the afternoon of June 20. He was last seen in the parish house at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Corstorphine. Parishioners reported him missing when he did not arrive at Mass on Wednesday morning last week, according to the BBC.
Police found the body of the 33-year-old priest on the beach at Dunbar on the Friday. The cause of death was unknown as we went to press.
Fr Vazhachira hailed from Kerala in southern India and was ordained a priest in 2013. He came to Scotland in 2016 for postgraduate studies at Edinburgh University.
Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh said: “The news of Fr Martin Xavier’s death comes as a great shock and a great sadness to all those who know him and loved him.
“Our thoughts and, more importantly, our prayers are with him and with all his loved ones in both Scotland and India. May he rest in peace,” Archbishop Cushley said.
Vatican treasures go on display
Rare treasures from the Vatican have gone on loan to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh as part of an exhibition about Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites.The exhibition includes three marble grave markers formerly in St Peter’s Basilica and a gold Communion set, known as the York Chalice and Paten, which belonged to Cardinal Henry Stuart, grandson of James II, who left it to the Church.
