LifeZine No. 550: 11th Dec 07
Family Tops Agenda for Irish Children in Schools' 'Big Ballot'
"Family and care" has emerged as the most important issue for children following the biggest ever consultation of young people in Ireland organised by the Ombudsman for Children. The "big ballot" involved seeking the views of at least 200,000 people aged between four and 18 in more than 1,000 schools across the State. Children were asked to vote on five issues that had been identified earlier through consultation by academics with a smaller group of children. Almost one-third (31.5 per cent) said family and care was the most important issue, followed by play and recreation (24 per cent), having a voice (16.5 per cent), health, wealth and material wellbeing (16 per cent) and education (12 per cent). Emily Logan, the Ombudsman for Children, said the “importance of family in children's lives was particularly encouraging at a time of dramatic social change”. "Over the course of my national tour of schools last month, I was struck by the number of children who articulated issues relating to the family", Ms Logan said. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Call to Resist Any Attempts to Foist Abortion on Northern Ireland
A Northern Ireland member of the House of Lords has called on the UK government to rresist any attempt to extend the 1967 Abortion Act to the province. Speaking against the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, Baroness Paisley of St George's reminded the house of previous assurances that this change would not happen without the consent of the Northern Ireland assembly, whose cross-party opposition to abortion was made clear in a recent debate. Baroness Paisley said she wished to “voice my concerns on matters arising from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The current proposals threaten not only human dignity but the family and, if the liberalising amendments on abortion are accepted, human life itself will also be threatened”. She added, “This is but the latest example of certain people trying to foist their ideas on the people from every background and tradition across Northern Ireland who have repeatedly and steadfastly shown their revulsion at the wholesale murder of unborn children.” Official Report, House of Lords. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Sex Education 'Leaves Teenagers Clueless'
Sex education lessons in the UK are so poor that most teenagers have no idea about sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, according to new research recently published. The study comes as representatives from the abortion industry claim that the country is suffering from a “sexual health crisis” and has called on the Government to make drastic changes in the way youngsters are taught about relationships. The research, conducted by the UK Youth Parliament found that almost half of teenagers in England say they have never been taught about the effects of teenage pregnancy. Daily Telegraph. December 6. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
MAP for Children in UK
Public healthcare officials in the UK have authorised the morning-after pill for girls as young as 12 without parental knowledge, according to a “Daily Express” report. 84% of National Health Service primary care trusts (PCTs) say that they permit secret prescription of the MAP to girls under 16—the legal age of consent. 70% of PCTs say that they would be prepared to challenge a pharmacist’s licence if they refused to comply with this policy. Daily Express. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
700 Portuguese Doctors Sign Petition Urging Medical Association to Continue Opposing Abortion
Members of the Portuguese Medical Association are circulating an Internet petition urging the association's leadership to maintain its anti-abortion ethical code. Earlier this year, the government legalised abortion on demand during the first trimester, and has demanded the nation's doctors to change their code of ethics that forbids abortion. More than 700 doctors have so far signed the petition, and the official spokesman for the association has repeatedly denounced the government's threats. LifeSite. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Mexico City Health Secretary falsified data to push for legalization of abortion
Fundación Vida, a Mexican pro-life group, has claimed that the health secretary of Mexico City, Mr Manuel Mondragón y Kalb, falsified data provided by pro-abortion organisations in order to convince the legislative assembly that abortion should be legalised because of high maternal mortality. Catholic News Agency, 5 November.