Scotland’s decision to ignore public opposition and push forward with a home abortion regime is “deeply concerning,” according to a Catholic Church spokesperson.

Anthony Horan, the head of the Catholic Parliamentary Office of the Scottish bishops’ conference, said the government’s decision “rides roughshod over democratic convention” by deliberately setting out “to diminish the views of thousands of individuals who responded to a consultation on home abortions.”

“The Scottish Government shockingly sought to downplay those individuals who raised concerns, labelling a significant number of the responses as ‘organized by pro-life or faith groups’ as if to downgrade their importance. The same treatment was not given to pro-abortion groups,” he said in a Sept. 1 statement.

“Not only is the Scottish Government risking the health and wellbeing of vulnerable women and their unborn children, for whom abortion is always fatal, it also rides roughshod over democratic convention. It is dangerous for women, and it is dangerous for democracy,” he said.