Here is something I ran across concerning the policy adopted by the Connecticut bishops in treating rape victims in Catholic hospitals. Not surprisingly there was some inaccurate reporting and misleading terminology. (I should have done more thorough research on the topic.)
The National Catholic Bioethics Center has posted a statement regarding treatment of victims of sexual assault, in response to this issue. Part of it is included below. For the rest, go to www.ncbcenter.org. This seems to me to be an acceptable policy. While there is a chance of abortion, because most contraceptives occasionally cause spontaneous abortions, the principle of double effect applies, i.e., an abortion is not intended. (I have to admit much ambivalence about this but I have to concede that the argument seems sound.)
October 3, 2007
Recently the Bishops of Connecticut permitted a protocol in Catholic hospitals for the treatment of victims of sexual assault. This action on the part of the Connecticut bishops received national attention and requires some commentary. This is a complex moral matter and does not lend itself to brief explanation. This difficulty was rendered all the worse by inaccurate reporting and inappropriate, indeed misleading, terminology.
Catholic hospitals have always provided contraception for the victims of sexual assault. This was usually done with a medication or medications which would prevent ovulation. If an egg is not released from the ovary, the victim cannot become pregnant. There was a difficulty here, however, because some medications appear to have a negative effect on the lining of the womb that might prevent an implantation of a new human embryo if one is engendered as a result of the assault. This would amount to an early medical abortion that would not be allowed.
In light of these facts, two protocols were generally developed and approved by bishops. One protocol allowed for no use of a medication for contraceptive purposes because it might have an abortive effect.
Another more commonly used protocol tried to take into account the variety of circumstances surrounding a sexual assault in such a way as to allow the use of a contraceptive medication – if it truly worked as a contraceptive.
The protocol with the ovulation test.
A rather simple (ovulation) test is used to determine whether or not a victim has begun to ovulate or has already ovulated. If the victim has not ovulated she is given the drug that will prevent the release of the egg from taking place. If the woman has already ovulated, the drug is not given because 1) it will not have the desired effect of preventing ovulation and 2) it might, if a new life is present, have an effect on the lining of the womb and prevent implantation.
