Catholics can in good conscience go to see "Bodies . . . The Exhibition" when it opens next month at the Carnegie Science Center, according to a statement today from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

The educational exhibit of real but plasticized human bodies, including fetuses, from China raised concerns given China's record on human rights and aggressive abortion policies, the statement said. After months of research, the diocese determined it could accept the assurances that the deaths were all from natural causes and did not result from execution or abortions. There was also a concern that the subjects did not give advance consent to the use of their bodies after death.

Although parents will want to consider their children's individual sensitivities before deciding to see the exhibit, " 'Bodies . . . The Exhibition' can provide worthwhile and effective opportunities to promote learning and to explore issues in the natural sciences, morality and spirituality," the statement said.

"The discussion generated in the public arena in anticipation of this exhibit is a valuable one that has raised serious questions about the dignity of the human person and how that dignity is expressed, protected and promoted. We applaud this public discourse on a matter so important to the fostering of a good society."

The exhibit opens Oct. 8.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.