LifeZine No. 616: 25th Aug 08
Minister Signals Referendum on Children's Rights Unlikely
Ireland’s Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, has signalled that the Government may introduce new laws to strengthen child protection and boost children's rights as an alternative to holding a potentially divisive referendum. The Government had pledged to hold a referendum following the striking down of the offence of statutory rape by the Supreme Court two years ago. Instead, a range of legislative options, which may not need a change to the Constitution, are being explored. "The best interests of children are what we're talking about. In some cases, that's already in…Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
UN Committee Tries to Foist Abortion on Northern Ireland
A United Nations committee has indicated support for extending the 1967 British Abortion Act to Northern Ireland, a suggestion that all the main political parties there vehemently oppose. The UN Committee for the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) said there should be a debate in Northern Ireland on removing "punitive provisions" on women who want to have an abortion in… Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Bright Future for Leukaemia Girl after Stem Cell Transplant
Stem cells from a baby's umbilical tissue have been used to treat his sister's leukaemia. The umbilical cord of Joshua Thomson, aged seven months, was the right tissue-match to treat Bethanie, aged three, with the ground-breaking therapy. The girl, who lives in Scotland, was diagnosed at six months, takes 15 types of medication and cannot... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Euthanasia Case Faces Legal Challenge in Italy
Both Houses of Italy’s Parliament have passed motions censuring judges in Milan who ruled that a disabled woman did not need to be given food or fluid by tube. The controversy surrounds the case of Ms Eluana Englaro, 37, whose father wants her sustenance stopped. Public prosecutors have also appealed against the ruling. The ruling by a Milan court earlier this month, a first in Italy, was condemned by the Vatican and Catholic politicians as... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
New Study From Norway Substantiates Link Between Abortion and Depression
New research from Norway substantiates previous studies showing a link between abortion and mental health problems such as depression. This new research, conducted by Dr. Willy Pedersen, was recently published in the “Scandinavian Journal of Public Health”, a peer-reviewed medical journal. The authors make the link clear in the conclusion of the abstract: "Young adult women who undergo induced abortion may be at increased risk for subsequent depression." The research showed that "Young women who reported having had an abortion in their twenties were more likely to… Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Knights of Columbus Leader Urges Catholics to Oppose Pro-Abortion Candidates
Catholic voters in the USA are a swing group that can easily determine the outcome of the presidential election in November. When they head to the polls, the head of the Knights of Columbus pointed out, Catholics should oppose pro-abortion candidates. Supreme Knight Carl Anderson called on Catholics to "shine a bright line of separation between themselves and all those politicians who defend the... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....