LifeZine No. 615: 22nd Aug 08
Acceptability of IVF in Irish Culture Criticised
The cultural acceptability of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Ireland has been forcefully criticised in an article for the September edition of Intercom magazine, as has the lack of legislation here to protect frozen embryos. Intercom is a resource magazine for priests and laity published on behalf of the Irish Catholic Bishops. Margaret Byrne, a PhD student of moral theology at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, writes that "it would appear from media, and everyday living, that IVF is culturally acceptable and that very few even realise or are aware of the ethical implications of undergoing treatment for assisted human reproduction (AHR)". These were "a real concern, especially so in Ireland, as there is a lack of any... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Dublin to Host Down Syndrome Congress
The people of Ireland will "learn a lot about the capacity of people with Down syndrome" when the tenth World Down Syndrome Congress opens in Dublin next year, Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, has said. He said the fact that the congress was coming to Dublin was "very, very exciting". He was speaking as Dublin was chosen as the location for the congress. The event takes place every three years. The event will take place in the Helix theatre and in Dublin City University from August 19th to 22nd, 2009, and is expected to... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
The Premature Baby Who was Kept Alive by Tickling Her Feet
A baby born at 25 weeks seems to have been helped to survive by being tickled on her feet. Emma Young weighed 19 ounces (540g) and, for an eight-week period, frequently stopped breathing. Nurses, and Mrs Angela Young, her mother, stimulated her feet and the child would start to breathe again. Emma, now aged one year, has... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Baby Bereavement Suite Opens at Musgrove, UK
A maternity unit in Somerset, England, has started a service to provide support for families whose babies die. A midwife will work with chaplains at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, in dedicated rooms with... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Austrians Hold ‘1000 Crosses Funeral March’ in Memory of the Unborn
Last week hundreds of Austrian pro-lifers held the first annual "1000 Crosses Funeral March" for the unborn. March participants met at the Cathedral Square in Salzburg where they were given a large white cross before setting out to begin their peaceful procession through the city. When march participants reached the city's State Bridge, dozens of roses were thrown into the river in memory of lives lost to abortion in Austria. At the end of the march, participants joined together to celebrate a special 'Mass of Atonement' for those who… Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Cardinal Calls on Peruvian Government to Resist Pressure to Approve Abortion
The leader of Peru's Catholics has urged the government to resist international pressure to liberalise abortion law. Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Archbishop of Lima, was speaking in his cathedral at an Independence Day ceremony attended by the president and other national leaders. Referring to pro-abortion organisations, he said: "These minority groups, which make a lot of noise in the media and receive millions from overseas, seek to intimidate the average citizen and push for the legalisation of new forms of abortion, under the pretext of... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....