LifeZine No. 597: 6th Jun 08
CURA Four to Receive Apology
The Catholic Church’s crisis pregnancy agency, CURA, is set to make a public apology to four volunteer members, whom it dismissed over three years ago, according to an “Irish Catholic” newspaper report. The apology, expected in the coming weeks, will clear the way for the expelled members finally to resume their work with the counselling service, from which they were expelled over their stated difficulties with the pro-abortion “Positive Options” leaflets of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA), which they were expected to distribute, as an access route for women seeking abortions. One key concern for the women was that Article 7 of CURA’s Service Agreement with the CPA was not in accordance with the pro-life ethos of the organisation. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Irish Population Could Reach Pre-Famine 6.5m Peak in 25 Years
The population of Ireland will return to its pre-Famine peak of 6.5 million within 25 years if recent trends of high net immigration and relatively high fertility rates are maintained, Deirdre Cullen, a senior statistician at the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said recently. In the decade to 2016, the numbers resident in the State are projected to rise by one million to 5.23 million on similarly strong migration and fertility assumptions, according to the CSO's Population and Labour Force Projections 2011-2041, just published. The 2006 Census enumerated the population at 4.23 million. A continuance of current demographic trends would see the population reach 5.69 million by 2021. The most salient feature of Ireland's demographic structure as it evolves over the decades ahead will be the growth in the older population. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
British Pro-Life Advocates Regroup After Losing Late-Term Abortion Votes
British pro-life advocates are regrouping after losing several votes in the House of Commons recently to put more limits on late-term abortions. They hoped to reduce the 24-week abortion limit by at least 2 – 4 weeks. MP Nadine Dorries led the effort and she said the votes against limiting late-term abortions have left her "frustrated and completely exhausted" after fighting for 18 months to put more limits in place. "I was flabbergasted by what went on in Parliament," she said. "I despaired when I heard speeches from MPs which included information that just was not true." Despite the result, Dorries said: "We've worked hard over the past 18 months and we've changed the view of a lot of people who would previously have considered a later abortion," she concluded. "If the life of a single child has been saved by the campaign, I'm happy." Julia Millington of the Alive and Kicking Campaign, said the vote is upsetting but she pointed to polls showing public opinion more strongly against late-term abortions as a result of the efforts. She added, "The tide of public opinion [on] late abortions has turned.” LifeNews.com. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Ruth Kelly Threatens Gordon Brown with Embryology Revolt
Ruth Kelly, the UK Transport Secretary, has threatened to defy Prime Minister Gordon Brown by not voting for the controversial Embryology Bill when it receives its final reading later this month. Roman Catholic Labour MPs, who like the rest of the party will be under a strict three line whip to approve the third reading of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, are said to be "furious" at Mrs Kelly's stance. MPs of all parties were given free votes on four of the most controversial aspects of the Bill earlier this week, meaning they were able to vote with their conscience. The Transport Secretary was among a number of Catholic Labour MPs who attempted to block the legalisation of hybrid human-animal embryos and so-called ‘saviour siblings’. The Telegraph. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Switzerland Euthanasia Centre Kills Nearly 900 Since Opening
The Switzerland-based Dignitas euthanasia centre released figures recently showing the number of people it has killed since opening. The euthanasia centre has killed 868 in assisted suicides since it began and 335 people in the last two years alone. About 85% of the people who die there are foreign nationals with the rest hailing from Switzerland. Dignitas director Ludwig Minelli claimed the euthanasia centre uses a rigorous process to weed out potential applicants and claims most people who apply for an assisted suicide never undergo one. "For every 100 applicants, only 12 are given the go-ahead by us. The rest either choose to wait or never get in touch again. People are eased knowing there is an emergency exit," he claimed. LifeNews.com. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
United Nations Population Fund Presents Awards to Abortion Advocates
Last week the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) hosted its annual population award ceremony at the United Nations (UN) to honour an individual and an organization for “outstanding” work in the population field, including family planning. This year’s honorees were abortion advocates Dame Billie Miller in the individual category and New York-based Family Care International (FCI) in the institutional. In an elaborate ceremony at UN headquarters, the New York Symphonic Orchestra and the UN staff choir greeted guests with performances. Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Kiyotaka Akasaka presented the awards on behalf of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. C-Fam/LifeNews.com. CLICK TO READ MORE.....