In a welcome announcement, Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne, Germany stated that he supported the use of Emergency Contraception in Catholic hospitals to treat rape victims since it did not induce abortions. This statement comes after two Catholic hospitals in Germany received widespread negative press after refusing to treat a female rape victim because they could not prescribe EC or counsel on abortion. Meisner’s announcement is especially notable because he is known for his outspoken conservative views. Apparently, Meisner changed his view after learning from scientists that EC pills prevent fertilization. According to Meisner, “if a medication that hinders conception is used after a rape with the purpose of avoiding fertilization, then this is acceptable in my view.”
