Peter Smith, lobbying on behalf of SPUC, told me that in the Commission's final document there were 35 references to the term "reproductive" in various word combinations such as "sexual and reproductive health" and "universal access to reproductive health".
Tragically, powerful parties such as the UNFPA, Barack Obama, Britain, and the European Union define "reproductive health" as including access to abortion - and the same parties make aid to developing nations dependent on the distribution of the euphemistically-termed "reproductive health commodities".
However, at the end of the meeting the following national delegations put in reservations concerning the reproductive heath wording making it clear that abortion should not be promoted under the guise of "reproductive health":
- Poland
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Holy See
- Pakistan
- St. Lucia
- Malta
- Honduras
- Benin
- Guatemala
"The 22 countries in the Arab group stated that comprehensive sex education is not to be promoted without parents". [I note with sadness by way of contrast, as a Catholic father living in the archdiocese of Westminster in England, that our parental rights as the primary educators of our children have been powerfully opposed by our archbishop]In addition, Peter Smith, SPUC's UN lobbyist, told me that the Holy See made a very good reservation and Fr Bene (of the Holy See delegation) stated that the Catholic Church does not condone the use of condoms either as a family planning measure or as part of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes or classes/programmes of education in sexuality - a position the Holy See also set out clearly the previous month at the UN's Commission on the Status of Women, stating:
"In closing, my delegation takes the opportunity to reaffirm all of the Holy See’s reservations on past occasions with regard to the meaning of the term 'sexual and reproductive health', which should not include abortion or abortion services. Moreover, the Holy See in no way endorses contraception or the use of condoms, either as a family planning measure or as part of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes or classes/programmes of education in sexuality. The Holy See – as well as many women in the world – is convinced that the true advancement of women is strongly linked to the recognition and the effective implementation of their rights, dignity and responsibilities. Women and men are both called to welcome, protect and foster these, for a renewed commitment towards humanity."
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