Bishop responds with concern to Scotland’s record abortion figures

Following the news that abortion has reached record levels in Scotland, the Catholic Church within the country has called for greater support for pregnant women and has expressed concern in regards to the increase in abortions on the grounds of disability.

Latest figures from Public Health Scotland show that last yr there have been 18,783 abortions within the country, representing an increase of 55 per cent from the 12,135 procedures conducted in 2016. The rise can’t be attributed to population growth, with figures also showing that the abortion rate per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 rose from 11.9 in 2016 to 17.6 in 2025. In each per capita and gross terms, abortion is rising.

The figures also revealed that in 2025 there have been 277 disability-selective abortions, an increase of 61 per cent from 2018. There was also a 50 per cent increase in abortions carried out within the 18th-Twentieth week of pregnancy. The legal limit for abortion is 24 weeks.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said the figures underlined the necessity for a compassionate response towards women facing difficult pregnancies.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Conference, said, “Behind every figure is a singular human life, created with inherent dignity, and a mother who could also be facing fear, isolation or hardship. These numbers should prompt not resignation, but a renewed determination to construct a society where every life is welcomed and guarded.

“The Church doesn’t underestimate the true challenges that may accompany a crisis or unexpected pregnancy. Women deserve practical, emotional and financial support, not a culture that too often presents abortion because the only solution.”

The bishop urged the Scottish government to facilitate a culture that will support and value each pregnant women and unborn children, fairly than seeing abortion as a simple answer.

“Scotland should aspire to be a nation where compassion means standing with each mother and child, and where the dignity of each human life is defended from conception to natural death,” he said. 

A review into abortion law in Scotland, commissioned by former First Minister, Humza Yousaf, beneficial that abortion be permitted for any reason prior to the 24-week limit.

The review, while stating that the 24-week limit needs to be retained, also states that abortions after the limit can occur if certain conditions are met. Those conditions, nonetheless, are vague and subjective, one such being consideration of “the patient’s current and fairly foreseeable physical, psychological and social circumstances”.

Right to Life UK has warned that if the recommendations were implemented, Scotland would have “one of the extreme abortion laws on the planet”.