LifeZine No. 608: 24th Jul 08
Senator Defends Traditional Marriage
Senator Jim Walsh of Fianna Fáil (main Irish Government political party) has promised a motion defending traditional marriage in the face of the new Civil Partnership Bill. The proposed legislation would allow same-sex and opposite sex couples to register cohabitation agreements in Ireland to regulate their joint financial affairs, giving them greater rights and control over pensions, inheritance and tax, etc. At a Fianna Fáil parliamentary meeting in Leinster House, Senator Walsh called for the protection of the “special status” enjoyed by marriage in the Irish Constitution. Between a dozen and 30 members of the Fianna Fáil party are reported to have signed the motion. The Taoiseach (PM) has stated that the institution of marriage is “in no way affected” by... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
New CURA Centre Opened—‘Taking the Crisis out of Pregnancy’
Bishop Bill Murphy, Bishop of Kerry, recently opened a new CURA outreach Service in Dingle, Co Kerry. CURA is the pregnancy counselling agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Launching the new service, Bishop Murphy spoke of the importance of the work carried out by CURA in providing support and care for women who were pregnant in difficult circumstances. Ms Ann Coffey, Coordinator of the Kerry Centre said, “By providing the Outreach Centre we are making our services more accessible to those who need them. Our purpose is to take the crisis ..”. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Catholic Church is Consistent on Abortion
A bioethicist at a Catholic college in England has pointed out that the Church has always taught that the destruction of human embryos was a serious sin. Professor David Albert Jones of St Mary's University College, Middlesex, was responding to a series of letters to a Scottish newspaper. While Popes Gregory XIV and Sixtus V had differed on the penalties for abortion, both condemned it. The Church has never condoned... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
UK Schools to Open Sexual Health Clinics—Without Parents' Knowledge
Sexual health clinics are to be opened in UK secondary schools to hand out contraception and help arrange abortions. Pupils as young as 11 will be able to drop in for free condoms, contraceptive pills, morning-after pills, pregnancy testing and screening for sexually-transmitted diseases. Parents will be made aware of the presence of the clinics but will not be told if their children have attended. However, David Paton, professor of economics at Nottingham University's Business School, said: 'Pretty much all the research on school-based family planning clinics suggests they have little or no impact on teenage pregnancy rates. There is a possibility that such services change the behaviour of some young people and may increase risk-taking...’ Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Romanian Girl in UK for Abortion—Courtesy of Marie Stopes
Marie Stopes International was due to arrange and pay for an abortion on an 11-year-old Romanian who reportedly came to Britain for the procedure at 22 weeks' gestation. Her country's government approved an abortion there on mental health grounds, but she still travelled for the termination at an unidentified.... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Embryonic Stem-Cell Research ‘Immoral, Unnecessary’—US Bishops
America's Catholic bishops have agreed a document, which calls human embryo research seriously wrong and unnecessary. It says: "the false assumption that a good end can justify direct killing has been the source of much evil in our world" and that embryos have a full set of human genes. The bishops point to research on adult stem cells and umbilical tissue as a better way, to which there is no... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....