I say, leave Cardinal Wamala alone!

SIR-The cardinal and the bishops of the Catholic Church issued a press statement on emergency contraceptive pills(ECPs). This has created controversy in some circles. I am both a medical doctor and a practising Catholic and I am not against anyone expressing his views be it medical or otherwise.But, I agree with catholic authorities that ECPs destroy life because I believe life begins immediately after fertilisation. The Catholic church's stand on abortion and artificial contraception has been clear for a long time . It is the role of the cardinal and the bishops to state the stand of the church firmly and decisively without necessarily forcing anyone to abide by what they say. The message is directed to especially practising Catholics and all the people of Uganda who care to listen! If there are some people who believe in artificial contraception and abortion,Fine. The church is merely making a point. The ECPs cannot substantially reduce the number of unsafe abortions and unwanted pregnancies. I believe the real solution will come through proper and aggressive health education and not through the "miraculous" ECPs. This is where the church and the medical personnel need each other. Dr Nicholas Kamara Mbarara