SW News: After the Scottish government released the findings of its "expert" advisory group on "ending conversion practices", the country's Catholic bishops issued a statement expressing their fear that the proposal could have "totalitarian" repercussions and lead to the suppression of major religions like Catholicism.

If these plans are enacted by the Scottish Parliament, the bishops say that it will be unlawful for the clergy to give pastoral care, parental counseling, or medical or other professional intervention based on a person's sexual orientation. A person can be jailed for attempting to help someone struggling with same-sex attraction or gender identity by explaining the Church's teaching on God's creation of humanity as male and female and the purpose of sex within marriage. A person in this circumstance who requires assistance in following Church doctrine is prohibited by law from receiving such assistance.

The bishops were quite vocal about their concerns about a possible loss of the church's tax-exempt status, and the potential loss of classroom and pastoral teaching positions. The Catholic school system may be dismantled, and children may be removed from their families. Because they are their children's earliest and most influential teachers, parents are uniquely qualified to counsel their children in these areas.

The statement's "expert" advisory group's failure to provide a clear definition of the word "conversion practices" is likely to have a chilling effect and might result in the prosecution of counsel or opinion offered in good faith.

Citing these words from Pope Francis, the statement concluded by urging the Scottish Government to reject the report: "There is a risk of drifting into what seems more and more like an ideological totalitarianism that promotes intolerance toward those who disagree with certain positions that are said to be "progress," but in reality seem to lead to an overall regression of humanity with the violation of freedom of thought and freedom of conscience."