An Australian politician was refused communion at Mass by a lay extraordinary minister of the Eucharist for his government's legislation to legalise abortion.
Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls was refused communion by a minister assisting a priest at St Monica's church in Moonee Ponds over the passage of the Abortion Law Reform Act, which legalised abortion in Victoria. The story is reported in The Age. He was eventually given communion by the priest after a one minute "stand off" in which the minister put his hand over the ciborium. Mr Hulls voted against the bill but as attorney-general referred the proposed abortion legislation to the Victorian Law Reform Commission for consideration.
I'm not really sure whether a lay minister has the authority to refuse communion to someone (and I don't know much about Australian politics) but it's great that the person reminded Mr Hulls of his actions in public office in a humiliating fashion.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Faith Winter Session
I've just got back to Hull from the excellent Faith Winter Session at Stonyhurst. The Parr brothers from Bridlington kept me company but unfortunately had to deal with my deteriorating sense of geography (and stupid use of sat nav) while driving. We ended up going the scenic route through Keighley and Bradford before finally finding the M62.
The conference was, as ever, an extremely encouraging occasion, bringing together some of the finest Catholic young people in the UK. In one of the homily's, Fr John-Paul Leonard, from Middlesbrough, said that as well as the current economic crisis, the UK is suffering from a spiritual bankruptcy. He said it was time for us to step up to the mark and be witnesses to Christ.
The talks were on St Paul’s vision of creation and salvation. This morning, Fr Mike Dolman spoke on The Church: Christ’s living presence in the world today. He reinforced the fundamental importance of Sunday Mass and a regular confession. The two things that separate us here in 2008 (nearly 9) from Christ 2000 years ago are time and space. These two veils are taken away at the Mass, where Christ becomes truly present for his people. Therefore, Sunday Mass is non-negotiable for Catholics, and we should go to Mass during the week as regularly as possible.
Then at today's glorious, solemnly celebrated Mass with incense and carols, Fr Stephen Boyle said we should rejoice in 2009 as it's 2009'th year of the Lord. He preached a message of hope in the midst of what 2009 will bring - more conflict in the Middle East, more people losing their jobs in the credit crunch and the inauguration of one of the most pro-abortion presidents ever.
Unfortunately, this is a rushed post on the conference and I can't find the wire for my camera here. I'll put up some photos when I get back to Kettering after the New Year celebrations.
The conference was, as ever, an extremely encouraging occasion, bringing together some of the finest Catholic young people in the UK. In one of the homily's, Fr John-Paul Leonard, from Middlesbrough, said that as well as the current economic crisis, the UK is suffering from a spiritual bankruptcy. He said it was time for us to step up to the mark and be witnesses to Christ.
The talks were on St Paul’s vision of creation and salvation. This morning, Fr Mike Dolman spoke on The Church: Christ’s living presence in the world today. He reinforced the fundamental importance of Sunday Mass and a regular confession. The two things that separate us here in 2008 (nearly 9) from Christ 2000 years ago are time and space. These two veils are taken away at the Mass, where Christ becomes truly present for his people. Therefore, Sunday Mass is non-negotiable for Catholics, and we should go to Mass during the week as regularly as possible.
Then at today's glorious, solemnly celebrated Mass with incense and carols, Fr Stephen Boyle said we should rejoice in 2009 as it's 2009'th year of the Lord. He preached a message of hope in the midst of what 2009 will bring - more conflict in the Middle East, more people losing their jobs in the credit crunch and the inauguration of one of the most pro-abortion presidents ever.
Unfortunately, this is a rushed post on the conference and I can't find the wire for my camera here. I'll put up some photos when I get back to Kettering after the New Year celebrations.
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Apparitions review
Last month, I blogged on the controversial BBC drama Apparitions. Last Thursday, the sixth and final episode of the series about the life of an exorcist was aired.
Having given a cautiously positive review about it two or three episodes in, I can safely say that, by the penultimate edition, the plot had become a little far fetched and probably theologically unsound. The exorcist, Father Jacob, performed a black Mass in order to save a boy from murdering a Muslim Imam and was himself possessed. In the final episode, Fr Jacob is exorcised by the former chief exorcist who escapes from prison. Monsignor Vincenzo, who was in fact a devil worshipper at heart who had managed to infiltrate the priesthood, was on remand for murder. But during a prison riot he escapes and goes to the hotel where Fr Jacob is making his "retreat".
The priest from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is finding it difficult to pray and is indeed possessed and vulnerable. The monsignor starts to convert him to the devil but, during a brief tussle, the voice of his father (who died in a Nazi concentration camp, the reason for his rejection of God) comes from Jacob's mouth. The experience is enough to convert the monsignor back to his faith (but I don't think there's a confession there). During a violent exorcism, Vincenzo is struck by lightening but manages to finish the prayers before dying. Fr Jacob is now free from the deamons he wants to fight. He travels to Rome and saves the Pope from an assassination attempt by demon Michael.
Then there's Cardinal Bukovak, Fr Jacob's boss. He sends Sr Ruth from Rome to spy on the exorcist and report back to him what's happening. The cardinal seems to be in collusion with the devil as well, claiming that Jacob is obsessed with his "medieval ritual".
Okay, so pretty far fetched nonsense I hear you say. But let's look at other aspects of the series.
In numerous parts, Fr Jacob pauses to briefly explain to various people the teaching of the church on different issues and accurately summarises the lives of various saints include St Maria Goretti and St Gianna. For those of you who don't know, the latter was an Italian wife and mother who refused an abortion and a hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child, despite knowing that continuing with the pregnancy could result in her death. She was canonised in 2004.
There's a scene where a demon, connected with the creation of unborn demons, walks on water towards Fr Jacob while he is trying to exorcise him. When the prayers of exorcism don't seem to be working, Jacob powerfully and dramatically asks for the intercession of St Gianna. He describes her as the defender of human life from conception, among other things. The demon drowns. The audience is perfectly aware of who St Gianna is and what she did. In the present "Catholic media bashing" climate, it's really astounding that the BBC would allow this kind of powerful statement to be broadcast.
Another feature is the emphasis put on the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel as the greatest weapon against evil spirits. When the prayer is said by Sister Ruth and others in church, the windows of the confessional are smashed.
I realised recently that Apparitions was the subject of a front page story in the Sunday Express on October 12. The article quite rightly questions dodgy and graphic parts of the plot including gay sex, murder and Mother Teresa on her death bed with her mind seemingly inhabited by demons.
But in the story, the spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said: “I will not watch the drama myself, it is not tasteful. I haven’t seen it but people might well be shocked. I have to stress, it is a work of fiction. The Catholic Church would not have chosen the drama form to explain the issue of exorcism.”
What other way can the issue of exorcism be addressed in the mass media? As if the Bishops' Conference is going to get a prime time slot on BBC1 to have a priest facing a camera explaining how exorcism works. Many Catholics are probably not aware of how the devil can attack them, or even worse, do not even believe in the devil. If I were the spokesman and my comment was not influenced directly by opposing bishops, I would have cautiously welcomed the drama, briefly pointing out the sound parts and the not so accurate scenes.
In conclusion, while stressing this is a work of fiction, I would say that never in my lifetime has the Catholic Church been portrayed in such a positive light on mainstream TV than on Apparitions. Let's face it, that's not saying much when we consider all the stick Opus Dei got on Waking the Dead, for instance. In Apparitions, the viewer learned how Catholics pray, how they celebrate the sacraments, who key saints are and what they did, little bits of Church teaching, chunks of scripture, an understanding of the war between good and evil in relation to the suffering of Christ on the Cross, the dangers of dabbling in satanic rituals and how the sacramental of exorcism is used to rid people of demons. I can't remember any other time on BBC dramas when the Church has been looked upon favourably. It's just a pity the audience figures weren't up to much.
Having given a cautiously positive review about it two or three episodes in, I can safely say that, by the penultimate edition, the plot had become a little far fetched and probably theologically unsound. The exorcist, Father Jacob, performed a black Mass in order to save a boy from murdering a Muslim Imam and was himself possessed. In the final episode, Fr Jacob is exorcised by the former chief exorcist who escapes from prison. Monsignor Vincenzo, who was in fact a devil worshipper at heart who had managed to infiltrate the priesthood, was on remand for murder. But during a prison riot he escapes and goes to the hotel where Fr Jacob is making his "retreat".
The priest from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is finding it difficult to pray and is indeed possessed and vulnerable. The monsignor starts to convert him to the devil but, during a brief tussle, the voice of his father (who died in a Nazi concentration camp, the reason for his rejection of God) comes from Jacob's mouth. The experience is enough to convert the monsignor back to his faith (but I don't think there's a confession there). During a violent exorcism, Vincenzo is struck by lightening but manages to finish the prayers before dying. Fr Jacob is now free from the deamons he wants to fight. He travels to Rome and saves the Pope from an assassination attempt by demon Michael.
Then there's Cardinal Bukovak, Fr Jacob's boss. He sends Sr Ruth from Rome to spy on the exorcist and report back to him what's happening. The cardinal seems to be in collusion with the devil as well, claiming that Jacob is obsessed with his "medieval ritual".
Okay, so pretty far fetched nonsense I hear you say. But let's look at other aspects of the series.
In numerous parts, Fr Jacob pauses to briefly explain to various people the teaching of the church on different issues and accurately summarises the lives of various saints include St Maria Goretti and St Gianna. For those of you who don't know, the latter was an Italian wife and mother who refused an abortion and a hysterectomy when she was pregnant with her fourth child, despite knowing that continuing with the pregnancy could result in her death. She was canonised in 2004.
There's a scene where a demon, connected with the creation of unborn demons, walks on water towards Fr Jacob while he is trying to exorcise him. When the prayers of exorcism don't seem to be working, Jacob powerfully and dramatically asks for the intercession of St Gianna. He describes her as the defender of human life from conception, among other things. The demon drowns. The audience is perfectly aware of who St Gianna is and what she did. In the present "Catholic media bashing" climate, it's really astounding that the BBC would allow this kind of powerful statement to be broadcast.
Another feature is the emphasis put on the prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel as the greatest weapon against evil spirits. When the prayer is said by Sister Ruth and others in church, the windows of the confessional are smashed.
I realised recently that Apparitions was the subject of a front page story in the Sunday Express on October 12. The article quite rightly questions dodgy and graphic parts of the plot including gay sex, murder and Mother Teresa on her death bed with her mind seemingly inhabited by demons.
But in the story, the spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference said: “I will not watch the drama myself, it is not tasteful. I haven’t seen it but people might well be shocked. I have to stress, it is a work of fiction. The Catholic Church would not have chosen the drama form to explain the issue of exorcism.”
What other way can the issue of exorcism be addressed in the mass media? As if the Bishops' Conference is going to get a prime time slot on BBC1 to have a priest facing a camera explaining how exorcism works. Many Catholics are probably not aware of how the devil can attack them, or even worse, do not even believe in the devil. If I were the spokesman and my comment was not influenced directly by opposing bishops, I would have cautiously welcomed the drama, briefly pointing out the sound parts and the not so accurate scenes.
In conclusion, while stressing this is a work of fiction, I would say that never in my lifetime has the Catholic Church been portrayed in such a positive light on mainstream TV than on Apparitions. Let's face it, that's not saying much when we consider all the stick Opus Dei got on Waking the Dead, for instance. In Apparitions, the viewer learned how Catholics pray, how they celebrate the sacraments, who key saints are and what they did, little bits of Church teaching, chunks of scripture, an understanding of the war between good and evil in relation to the suffering of Christ on the Cross, the dangers of dabbling in satanic rituals and how the sacramental of exorcism is used to rid people of demons. I can't remember any other time on BBC dramas when the Church has been looked upon favourably. It's just a pity the audience figures weren't up to much.
Happy Christmas
You might say this Christmas greeting is a bit late. But I'm a real fan of making people quite clear there are eight days of Christmas, the Christmas season doesn't finish until the feast of the Baptism of the Lord and that cribs shouldn't really be taken down until February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
After Mass on Christmas Eve, I went to the Haworth Arms in Hull where people from St Mary's College traditionally meet to catch up. There were some people I hadn't seen since last Christmas Eve (many of who have also moved away from Hull) and it was fantastic to be able to speak to them again. I had a great day at home with my family on Thursday, especially with the new edition to the family, Oliver, who I got to hold for the first time. Unfortunately, I've been back in the East Midlands working for the last two days but I suppose it's business as usual in some senses for reporters on daily newspapers.
But by Monday night I'll be in holiday mode for a few days again as I've got time off to go up to the Faith Winter Session at the stunning Stonyhurst College in Lancashire and then bring in the New Year in Hull.
Many thanks for reading Bashing Secularism over the past year and particularly for your comments and support. I apologise I'm not as regular a blogger as I would like to be but will try and do more in 2009. Happy Christmas!
After Mass on Christmas Eve, I went to the Haworth Arms in Hull where people from St Mary's College traditionally meet to catch up. There were some people I hadn't seen since last Christmas Eve (many of who have also moved away from Hull) and it was fantastic to be able to speak to them again. I had a great day at home with my family on Thursday, especially with the new edition to the family, Oliver, who I got to hold for the first time. Unfortunately, I've been back in the East Midlands working for the last two days but I suppose it's business as usual in some senses for reporters on daily newspapers.
But by Monday night I'll be in holiday mode for a few days again as I've got time off to go up to the Faith Winter Session at the stunning Stonyhurst College in Lancashire and then bring in the New Year in Hull.
Many thanks for reading Bashing Secularism over the past year and particularly for your comments and support. I apologise I'm not as regular a blogger as I would like to be but will try and do more in 2009. Happy Christmas!
Sunday, 21 December 2008
40 Martyr Reflections: Saint Anne Line
Anne Line had such a desire to die from Christ that she is said to have had a holy envy of priests and others who were in more of an advantageous position to be martyred. Father William Thompson, who was also martyred, even promised Anne that he would pray before his execution that she might also be permitted to give her life in witness to the true faith.
Like many faithful Catholic women during penal times, Anne Line set about to protect priests and organise the celebration of Mass for recusants. But, unlike many wives of aristocrats living in large country mansions who undertook these dangerous tasks, Anne was a poor, simple woman who suffered prolonged illness. She was a world away from the recusant country estates. Instead, renowned Jesuit priest Fr John Gerard put his complete trust in Mrs Line, placing her in charge of a refuse house for priests in London in the 1590s.
We don’t know exactly when Anne Heigham was born but it seems to be around the 1568 mark. Her father, William, was a staunch Calvanist and threw Anne and her brother (William) out of the family house in Great Dunmow, Essex, when he discovered they had both converted to Catholicism. He was so angry that he disinherited his son of the family estate.
Shortly after becoming a Catholic and while still a teenager, she met another convert, Roger Line, in the early 1580s. Both were dedicated to the mission of hiding priests, the men who held the key to the salvation of countless Catholics. Shortly after their marriage they moved at a house near Bishopsgate in London. During a Mass in 1585, both Anne’s husband (only 19 at the time) and brother were apprehended and taken to Compter Prison in Wood Street together with celebrant Fr Thompson.
After a period of time in prison, Roger was sentenced to banishment and went to Flanders. He was never to see his young beloved wife again. Mr Line received a small pension from the King of Spain part of which he sent to Anne for her living costs. But Roger died tragically early in 1593, leaving his c.25 year old widow devastated.
Fr John Gerard selected Anne to be the housekeeper of the house of retreat for priests. The shrewd English Mission priest said Mrs Line was "just the sort of person that I wanted at the head of the house" to "manage money matters, take care of the guests and meet the inquiries of strangers". Fr Gerard described her as having a "good store of charity and wariness".
By this point, Mrs Line wasn’t in good health. She suffered with headaches and had such a weak body that friends thought she was going to die every time the seasons changed. But although the flesh was weak the spirit was strong. She wept each time she received Holy Communion, which was at least once a week. At this time, receiving Our Lord that regularly was rare for a layperson, even in countries with no persecution of Catholics. Anne spent many an hour in prayer and meditation.
When Fr Gerard escaped from the Tower of London with the help of two lay brothers in October 1597, the search to find Anne Line was stepped up. Incidentally, Fr Gerard (one of the main characters in the excellent book by Alice Hogg "God’s Secret Agents) had been suspended by his wrists no less than eight times.
Anne had to move between house to house but still managed to dodge the authorities for another eight years or so. During this period, she ran three refuge houses in the capital she taught Catholic children and looked after priests.
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (or Candlemas), February 2 1601, guards broke down the door down to Mrs Line’s house just as Mass was being celebrated. Because it was heavily bolted, the brave woman was able to bundle the celebrating priest, Father Francis Page, down a hiding hole and he made his escape. However, Anne and two others were arrested.
At the Old Bailey on February 26 1601, Anne Line stood trial on a charge of harbouring a priest. Now in such a physical state unable to walk, she had to be carried to court by chair. The evidence was patchy but the judge was the vehemently anti-Catholic Lord Chief-Justice Popham. Despite the facts being in doubt, Mrs Line was happy to effectively plead guilty. She boldly told the court that, far from regretting concealing a priest, she grieved that she "could not receive a thousand more".
While in Newgate prison awaiting her horrible execution, Anne revealed to her fellow inmates that she had received the second of two vision in her life just a couple of days beforehand. When praying her office, Anne said she witnessed her book glow and took it as a sign of her future martyrdom.
On the gallows on February 27 1601, Mrs Line repeated what she had said at her trial, declaring loudly to the bystanders: "I am sentenced to die for harbouring a Catholic priest, and so far I am from repenting for having so done, that I wish, with all my soul, that where I have entertained one, I could have entertained a thousand."
She was hanged immediately before two priests, Fr Roger Filcock and Fr Mark Barkworth. The latter priest kissed her hand while her body was still hanging, and said: "Oh blessed Mrs. Line, who has now happily received thy reward, thou art gone before us, but we shall quickly follow thee to bliss, if it please the Almighty."After a brief struggle choking on the rope, she died. Some of her remains were recovered by the Countess of Arundel’s men and buried in an unknown place.
One of the few universal female saints to have been married, and indeed widowed, Saint Anne Line was a humble housekeeper but played an integral role in keeping the Catholic faith alive. She was clearly devastated by the loss of her husband but her faith made her strong to continue the work of harbouring priests and organising Masses.
The modern day presbytery housekeeper is an important role, carrying out cleaning, cooking and administration for the priest. There are certainly some - how can I put it - interesting characters I have known that look after the house for priests. According to my internet research, there are four patron saints of housekeepers - Anne, Martha, Monica and Zita. Saint Anne Line is certainly a worthy name to be among them. She is also wonderful saint for widowed people to pray to.
Saint Anne Line Pray for Us.
Like many faithful Catholic women during penal times, Anne Line set about to protect priests and organise the celebration of Mass for recusants. But, unlike many wives of aristocrats living in large country mansions who undertook these dangerous tasks, Anne was a poor, simple woman who suffered prolonged illness. She was a world away from the recusant country estates. Instead, renowned Jesuit priest Fr John Gerard put his complete trust in Mrs Line, placing her in charge of a refuse house for priests in London in the 1590s.
We don’t know exactly when Anne Heigham was born but it seems to be around the 1568 mark. Her father, William, was a staunch Calvanist and threw Anne and her brother (William) out of the family house in Great Dunmow, Essex, when he discovered they had both converted to Catholicism. He was so angry that he disinherited his son of the family estate.
Shortly after becoming a Catholic and while still a teenager, she met another convert, Roger Line, in the early 1580s. Both were dedicated to the mission of hiding priests, the men who held the key to the salvation of countless Catholics. Shortly after their marriage they moved at a house near Bishopsgate in London. During a Mass in 1585, both Anne’s husband (only 19 at the time) and brother were apprehended and taken to Compter Prison in Wood Street together with celebrant Fr Thompson.
After a period of time in prison, Roger was sentenced to banishment and went to Flanders. He was never to see his young beloved wife again. Mr Line received a small pension from the King of Spain part of which he sent to Anne for her living costs. But Roger died tragically early in 1593, leaving his c.25 year old widow devastated.
Fr John Gerard selected Anne to be the housekeeper of the house of retreat for priests. The shrewd English Mission priest said Mrs Line was "just the sort of person that I wanted at the head of the house" to "manage money matters, take care of the guests and meet the inquiries of strangers". Fr Gerard described her as having a "good store of charity and wariness".
By this point, Mrs Line wasn’t in good health. She suffered with headaches and had such a weak body that friends thought she was going to die every time the seasons changed. But although the flesh was weak the spirit was strong. She wept each time she received Holy Communion, which was at least once a week. At this time, receiving Our Lord that regularly was rare for a layperson, even in countries with no persecution of Catholics. Anne spent many an hour in prayer and meditation.
When Fr Gerard escaped from the Tower of London with the help of two lay brothers in October 1597, the search to find Anne Line was stepped up. Incidentally, Fr Gerard (one of the main characters in the excellent book by Alice Hogg "God’s Secret Agents) had been suspended by his wrists no less than eight times.
Anne had to move between house to house but still managed to dodge the authorities for another eight years or so. During this period, she ran three refuge houses in the capital she taught Catholic children and looked after priests.
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple (or Candlemas), February 2 1601, guards broke down the door down to Mrs Line’s house just as Mass was being celebrated. Because it was heavily bolted, the brave woman was able to bundle the celebrating priest, Father Francis Page, down a hiding hole and he made his escape. However, Anne and two others were arrested.
At the Old Bailey on February 26 1601, Anne Line stood trial on a charge of harbouring a priest. Now in such a physical state unable to walk, she had to be carried to court by chair. The evidence was patchy but the judge was the vehemently anti-Catholic Lord Chief-Justice Popham. Despite the facts being in doubt, Mrs Line was happy to effectively plead guilty. She boldly told the court that, far from regretting concealing a priest, she grieved that she "could not receive a thousand more".
While in Newgate prison awaiting her horrible execution, Anne revealed to her fellow inmates that she had received the second of two vision in her life just a couple of days beforehand. When praying her office, Anne said she witnessed her book glow and took it as a sign of her future martyrdom.
On the gallows on February 27 1601, Mrs Line repeated what she had said at her trial, declaring loudly to the bystanders: "I am sentenced to die for harbouring a Catholic priest, and so far I am from repenting for having so done, that I wish, with all my soul, that where I have entertained one, I could have entertained a thousand."
She was hanged immediately before two priests, Fr Roger Filcock and Fr Mark Barkworth. The latter priest kissed her hand while her body was still hanging, and said: "Oh blessed Mrs. Line, who has now happily received thy reward, thou art gone before us, but we shall quickly follow thee to bliss, if it please the Almighty."After a brief struggle choking on the rope, she died. Some of her remains were recovered by the Countess of Arundel’s men and buried in an unknown place.
One of the few universal female saints to have been married, and indeed widowed, Saint Anne Line was a humble housekeeper but played an integral role in keeping the Catholic faith alive. She was clearly devastated by the loss of her husband but her faith made her strong to continue the work of harbouring priests and organising Masses.
The modern day presbytery housekeeper is an important role, carrying out cleaning, cooking and administration for the priest. There are certainly some - how can I put it - interesting characters I have known that look after the house for priests. According to my internet research, there are four patron saints of housekeepers - Anne, Martha, Monica and Zita. Saint Anne Line is certainly a worthy name to be among them. She is also wonderful saint for widowed people to pray to.
Saint Anne Line Pray for Us.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
International SPUC Student Conference
Calling all pro-life students - there's going to be a fantastic conference for you in March.
Putting my SPUC hat on, it's our second international student conference entitled "I am here". It's on the weekend of 6-8 March 2009 at Carberry Tower, Edinburgh, and is organised by SPUC Scotland. The talks will address the often called "hard cases" of abortion with the keynote speaker being Rebecca Kiessling, who was conceived as a result of a brutal rape at knife point. You can read her remarkable life-story and get an idea of the campaigning she does in defence of unborn children on her website.
Rebecca has appeared on many TV programmes, including EWTN's Life on the Rock. Some of the opening words on her site are:
Have you ever considered how really insulting it is to say to someone, "I think your mother should have been able to abort you."? It's like saying, "If I had my way, you'd be dead right now."
Other speakers for the event have yet to be confirmed. This year's conference, held at Gartmore House, was an excellent occasion, with about 50 students from all over the world attending. In 2009, organisers are hoping that numbers will double or even triple.
The rates for March are £80 for the weekend (food, accommodation and conference), £35 for non-residential delegates (food and conference) and £25 for Saturday only people, who will get food and snacks.
For more details and to book, contact Lucy McCully at SPUC Scotland on 0141 221 2094 or email her at lucy@spucscotland.org. Also, keep an eye on the website, where you'll also find photos of this year's conference (yes, including some embarrassing ones of me).
Private Members' Bill Ballot
The ballot for private members' bills (PMB) took place in parliament on Thursday - and it's not good news.Among the top ten names pulled out of the hat were Cheyl Gillan (1), Dr Evan Harris (5) and Jacqui Lait (9). All are members of the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Choice and Sexual Health Group. The word in Westminster is that Gillan will leave off the life issues but Harris may well introduce an assisted dying bill and Lait is keen on abortion law reform.
Last month, Harris led an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on assisted dying. During his speech, referring to the assisted dying law in Oregon, he said:
"I do not have time to go into the case of people who refuse food and water, but
again it means a more protracted death than the painless one that is available
through assisted dying."
This is exactly the argument used by Dr Harris to justify assisted suicide - if people starve or dehydrate to death, this is awful. So why can't we just end their life with a lethal injection?
Lait, a Conservative, tabled two amendments to the HFE Bill/now Act to allow more local abortion services. She may well attempt to do this again.
Ballot bills are traditionally debated on a Friday, when most MPs are back in their constituency. Usually, they are unsuccessful in making it to the statute book. But controversial issues like these are likely to get more MPs staying on for an extra morning before swanning back to their weekend homes. Hopefully, if and when any such bills are introduced, they will fall at the first hurdle and, if not, then pro-life MPs could use the filibustering technique to "time out" a debate.
Nevertheless, guess how the Abortion Act was introduced? You guessed it - via a PMB. We have to monitor this closely and lobby our MPs if these two issues do come up this parliamentary year.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
Obama appointments
It's really starting to get depressing for vulnerable people in America ahead of Barack Obama's impending presidency.In the latest of his appointments, an attorney who won an award for representing Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife is now an advisor to Obama's transition team. Thomas Perrelli is helping advise the president elect on putting together a chillingly named "Justice Department" team. It seems Obama's view of "justice" includes starving and dehydrating very sick patients to death.
This appointment comes as no surprise as Obama said he regretted voting with a unanimous Senate to help save Terri in 2005. And it adds to an increasingly long list of anti-life people that will form the heart of his administration. Just last week Obama chose the notoriously pro-abortion Hillary Clinton as US Secretary of State. Others include Susan Rice, the new US ambassador to the United Nations and Ellen Moran, the new White House director of communications.
With these people at the helm of the most powerful country on earth, attacks on the unborn and on the elderly, sick and vulnerable will rocket worldwide. Obama's intentions to sign the Freedom of Choice Act and re-instate funding for embryo research are just two ways he is set to counter the positive "pro-life" moves made by President Bush.
After the mass hysteria which I have already talked about has died down, the sinister intentions of Obama's presidency will soon hit the people that voted for him - and indeed those who didn't, including us in the UK.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Oliver
This weekend I saw my beautiful new nephew. He was sleeping most of the time I was around at my sister's both on Saturday and Sunday. But that didn't stop me taking pictures. On Sunday, we "wet the baby's head" although I did it just with coke as I was driving. Anyway less of the talking and more of the pictures:
Praise God!Saturday, 6 December 2008
Diocese of Middlesbrough Derby: Hull City 2 Middlesbrough 1
Today, the only two remaining professional football teams left in the Diocese of Middlesbrough went head to head. It was the first ever clash in the top flight between Hull City and the Boro. And the Tigers won!
Supporting the football team is traditionally a big part of Middlesbrough Catholics' life. Many of the priests go to watch matches regularly as well as lay folk. My uncle, who has been a parish priest on Teeside, used to say that the mood of people at Sunday Mass depended on the football result the day before. How satisfying it was, then, to see Hull City come from one nil behind to beat the Boro 2-1!
It was a scrappy game until the last ten minutes. We conceded an stupid goal, giving Tuncay an easy tap in. The Middlesbrough end erupted - they thought they'd won. But the Tigers had other ideas. The goal was a kick up the backside. Within 90 seconds, Frenchman Bernard Mendy's shot crept under Boro goalkeeper Turnbull, hit the post and then deflected back into the net off his back. It was a bit lucky but we deserved it.
With just five minutes left, Brazilian supremo Geovanni darted into the box and was fouled by Wheater, who got his second yellow card and was sent off. It was clearly a penalty from where I was sitting and it was nicely put away by Marlon King who otherwise had an awful game.
To rub it in for Boro fans even further (which, yes, is exactly my intention with this post!) , I recorded the winning goal on my camera. It's been posted even before Match of the Day and it makes up the first ever video posted on this blog. And how sweet it is...
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Uncle Richard
At 11.30pm last night (Tuesday), I became an uncle for the first time.Say hello to little Oliver Lee Collins, born at Hull Royal Infirmary weighing 7lbs 15ozs. My eldest sister Kate was two weeks overdue and has had a hard time of it.
I was hoping my holiday last week at home would coincide with the birth. But Olly had other ideas. Mum told me she was saying several rosaries down the way from the maternity unit during the cesarean section and didn't even notice the nurse coming in to tell her the good news.
All being well, I'll be seeing him at the weekend. Luckily, Kate is not a football fan and neither is brother-in-law Lee. So he'll be a Hull City fan then! It's all very exciting.
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