Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Bishops’ Conference, has once again raised his voice in opposition to the controversial puberty blockers trial after a High Court judge ruled that children as young as 11 can be recruited to take part.
“It is particularly alarming to see that the clinical trial prescribing puberty blockers to children, run by King’s College London, is going ahead.
“Over 220 children, some as young as 11, are currently being recruited for the trial.
“We have previously expressed our concerns about this trial and its potential impact on children. Gender dysphoria is a condition that can have a profound impact on young people today and on their families.
“Whilst I share the desire to support children facing gender dysphoria in the best ways possible, I can only oppose an approach where the natural process of puberty is blocked.
“Strong ethical boundaries must govern all medical exploration and treatment. Experimenting on children cannot be right when it involves exposing them to the risk of serious and life-altering harm in the hope of uncertain medical benefits.
“Our priests, deacons and lay Catholics in churches and schools provide support every day to children who experience gender dysphoria, and their families. Such pastoral support and suitable professional counselling are the appropriate ways to assist children in such situations. They are particularly vulnerable and deserve protection, loving care and appropriate medical support. Vulnerable children should not be part of this clinical trial.
“While recruitment is still ongoing and children have not yet been exposed to harm, I ask that the trial at King’s College London be stopped.”
Bishop Paul Mason is the Catholic Bishop of the Forces as well as the Church’s safeguarding lead and Lead Bishop for Healthcare.
