Pope Benedict XVI Headed to Scotland, Urges Opposition to Assisted Suicide Bill

Pope Benedict XVI is headed to Scotland where he will urge members of the Scottish Parliament to oppose a bill that would legalize assisted suicide. The head of the Catholic Church told Scottish bishops today that euthanasia "strikes at the very heart" of Christianity.

The pope said assisted suicide a sign of "the increasing tide of secularism" in Scotland and he urged Catholics to take a more active stand in speaking out against it.

Pope Benedict will visit England, Wales and Scotland in mid-September and he said in a statement that "support for euthanasia strikes at the very heart of the Christian understanding of the dignity of human life."

"Recent developments in medical ethics and some of the practices advocated in the field of embryology give cause for great concern," he added.

Benedict XVI also encouraged Scottish bishops in his meeting with them today at the Vatican to make their voice heard in public society.

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