Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 23 July

Top stories:

Man in forced abortion threat case grateful to SPUC
The young man at the centre of the abortion case in the Dublin High Court on 16 July has said he is extremely grateful to the pro-life groups which helped him prevent his girlfriend from being forced to travel to England for an abortion. SPUC and Women's Net crisis pregnancy agency had provided him with advice and support when he approached them earlier in the week. Liam Gibson SPUC's development officer in Northern Ireland, said: "This case highlights the very serious issue of women being coerced into having abortions. [SPUC, 22 July]

Explicit sex ed agenda challenged by pro-family campaign Safe at School
In a letter published in The Telegraph newspaper, SPUC's Safe at School campaign has challenged the agenda of groups who want explicit sex education to be imposed upon primary schools under the cover of science lessons. The letter from Safe at School was written in response to a letter published in The Telegraph on 19 July from the Sex Education Forum, the Mothers' Union and the Royal College of Nursing, among others. The letter from Safe at School, written by its coordinator Antonia Tully, said: "Most parents are not drawing their children’s attention to genital organs and schools shouldn’t either." [SPUC, 22 July]

Liverpool Care Pathway: 1st pro-life group to sound alarm welcomes review's recommendation
The first pro-life group to sound the alarm about the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) has welcomed a report's recommendation that the LCP be replaced. SPUC Pro-Life warned about the LCP as long ago as September 2008, in an article ("Liverpool Care Pathway – comfort for the dying or backdoor euthanasia?") in its newspaper The Pro-Life Times. On Saturday, the Council of SPUC Pro-Life, its democratically-elected governing body of grassroots activists, passed a motion welcoming the recommendation. [SPUC, 22 July]

Pro-life leaders react to US Bishops agency’s funding of pro-abortion groups
Pro-life leaders are expressing outrage after LifeSiteNews.com revealed that Catholic Relief Services, the US Catholic bishops’ overseas aid agency, is funding two leading pro-abortion organisations, CARE and Population Services International (PSI). John Smeaton, SPUC's chief executive commented:  “Firstly, CARE and PSI's knowledge that, year after year, CRS will give them millions of dollars for ostensibly ethical projects enables them to budget and plan ahead for their unethical activities. Secondly, receiving millions from CRS helps whitewash their reputations in the wider world and entrenches their presence in the countries where they operate. Lastly, there are legions of pro-life/pro-family Catholic initiatives which desperately need funding, such as MaterCare International, the Billings Ovulation Method and Culture of Life Africa. CRS' millions for CARE and PSI should be given to them instead." [LifeSiteNews.com, 19 July]

SPUC Scotland responds to nursing home director's assisted suicide comments
SPUC Scotland has responded to a nursing home director's comments about assisted suicide. Dr Chai Patel, chairman of a large chain of nursing homes, seemed to promote the idea of people being offering the choice of assisted suicide. A spokeswoman for SPUC Scotland said Dr Patel represented "a corporate, money-making body that no doubt sees from the example of Dignitas that there is a lot of money to be made from suicide clinics and can only lead one to conclude that these comments are about business not care. "[They] send out a dangerous message to those in our society who are elderly, infirm or dependent on others for some kind of help, support or care. Illness and old age do not rob people of dignity, but treating them as disposable or placing quality of life judgments on their existence does. Giving good care and understanding and time to those in need is the real act of mercy." [Scottish Catholic Observer, 19 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Reported death of woman, following 2012 London abortion, introduced in final week of Ireland's abortion debate [Pat Buckley, 22 July]
  • Pro-life activist's former abortion clinic in Texas closes [CNA, 19 July]
  • Abortion: Whatever happened to fathers and sex? [SPUC youth blog, 17 July]
Embryology
Population
Sexual ethics
  • Gay ‘marriage’ a ‘sign of the apocalypse’: Russian Patriarch [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 July]
  • Sikh temples advised to deregister as marriage venues over same-sex marriage lawsuit fear [Telegraph, 21 July]
  • Ex-gay activist begins 10-day walk to Washington D.C., protests against cartoons promoting homosexuality to children [Christian Post, 22 July]
  • Nights away from mum 'leave babies less secure' [Mail, 22 July]
  • Anglican archbishop of Kenya condemns support for civil partnerships by Archbishops of Canterbury and York [Tablet, 22 July]
  • Lesbian couple and their sperm donor fight for custody over children [Daily Telegraph, 20 July]
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Monday, 22 July 2013

Liverpool Care Pathway: 1st pro-life group to sound alarm welcomes review's recommendation

The first pro-life group to sound the alarm about the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) has welcomed a report's recommendation that the LCP be replaced.

SPUC Pro-Life warned about the LCP as long ago as September 2008, in an article ("Liverpool Care Pathway – comfort for the dying or backdoor euthanasia?") in our newspaper The Pro-Life Times.

The Council of SPUC Pro-Life, our democratically-elected governing body of grassroots activists, passed the following motion yesterday:

"This Council:
  • welcomes the call by Baroness Neuberger's review panel for the Liverpool Care Pathway to be phased out;
  • salutes those relatives who have struggled to protect patients on the LCP;
  • thanks all health care staff responsible for raising concerns about the LCP in public;
  • congratulates the Pro-Life Times for raising concerns about the LCP in 2008;
  • welcomes any proposal to prioritise ethical individualised care, which should include patient assessment by competent individuals and which should avoid not only over-burdensome treatment, but should also avoid over-sedation, neglect and the wrongful withdrawal of nutrition and hydration; and
  • urges the Executive Committee to maintain its vigilance to identify and resist approaches which entail or lend themselves to euthanasia or assisted suicide."
Anthony McCarthy of SPUC Pro-Life told the media:
"SPUC welcomes the recognition, by an independent review, that the Liverpool Care Pathway is "the wrong approach" to end-of-life care and that it "should be replaced over the next six to 12 months.

"SPUC Pro-Life has supported consistently those medics who have criticised vocally the LCP. We will be closely examining any new proposals that may be put forward following the review. SPUC Pro-Life will be doing so with caution and in the knowledge that we live in an increasingly euthanasiast culture."
The LCP's implementation was draconian, with brave consultants such as Professor Patrick Pullicino threatened for highlighting the deaths that it can cause. Brave medics, families of victims and enterprising journalists have been at the forefront of exposing this structurally deficient pathway, often receiving little support from establishment figures who disagreed on its dangers.

SPUC is opposed to the giving of burdensome treatment to patients for whom it is no longer appropriate. We are also opposed to neglect of any patient. We want to protect the lives and welfare of vulnerable people by giving them what they need, when they need it, knowing that life has value at every stage.

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Explicit sex ed agenda challenged by SPUC's Safe at School campaign

In a letter published today in The Telegraph newspaper, SPUC's Safe at School campaign has challenged the agenda of groups who want explicit sex education to be imposed upon primary schools under the cover of science lessons (see third letter at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10193965/Let-patients-monitor-NHS-trusts-but-dont-follow-Labours-example.html ).

The letter from Safe at School was written in response to a letter published in The Telegraph on 19 July from the Sex Education Forum, the Mothers' Union and the Royal College of Nursing, among others (see 11th letter at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/10189069/Where-are-the-experts-coming-from-in-order-to-save-failing-hospitals.html) The letter from Safe at School, written by its coordinator Antonia Tully, reads:
Sex-free schooling

SIR – Sex education is, and should remain, a non-compulsory subject in primary school (Letters, July 19). It should not be smuggled into science classes, depriving parents of the crucial legal right to withdraw their children.

Our campaign, Safe at School, is about supporting parents, as the primary educators of their children, in protecting their offspring from graphic sex education.

The new primary science curriculum recognises that introducing sexual issues into the lives of young children under the guise of science is inappropriate. It lists the body parts that children at Key Stage 1 should be able to identify and that list contains no sexual organs.

Teachers do not have to worry about giving the “correct names” for genitalia or otherwise. This supposed need for children aged five to seven to be able to name correctly their genitalia is not going to safeguard them. Quite the reverse, it will stimulate an unhealthy interest in their sexual organs and is a violation of their privacy. Most parents are not drawing their children’s attention to genital organs and schools shouldn’t either.

Antonia Tully
Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
London SE11
Antonia also told the media today:
"Safe at School first identified the abuse of the National Curriculum in primary schools whereby sex education was being taught in science lessons. Last summer, Nick Gibb, then schools' minister, confirmed for Safe at School that it was wrong for sex education to be inserted into primary schools under the guise of science.

Distressed parents contacted me saying that their children's schools were telling them that sex education was a compulsory part of the science curriculum and that they could not withdraw their children. Nothing adequately expresses the horror parents experience when they actually see the cartoon films of sexual activity which their young children are subjected to in the classroom."
See also:
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Man in forced abortion threat case grateful to SPUC

court building, Dublin
The young man at the centre of the abortion case in the Dublin High Court on 16 July has said he is extremely grateful to the pro-life groups which helped him prevent his girlfriend from being forced to travel to England for an abortion. SPUC and Women's Net crisis pregnancy agency had provided him with advice and support when he approached them earlier in the week.

On Friday 12 July, the young man's girlfriend was taken from their home in Northern Ireland by her parents and brought to Dublin. Shortly afterwards, he discovered that an abortion had been arranged to take place within a matter of days, despite the fact that she wanted her baby.

Already 20 weeks pregnant, she had given up smoking, had picked out baby clothes and was receiving appropriate ante-natal care. Earlier in pregnancy she had expressed a desire to have her baby even if the child was disabled. Having taken her to Dublin, however, her parents had prevented the child's father from contacting her. Concerned for the safety of his girlfriend and their baby, the young man was desperate to find help. After discussing the situation with SPUC and Women's Net, it became clear that a legal intervention to prevent her from being taken out of Ireland was the only realistic option. He was then put in touch with a legal team in Dublin who was able to act on his behalf.

The result of this action was to remove the pressure being applied to the young woman. Having assured the Court that she would not be prevented from having her baby, the psychiatric assessment called for by the Court to establish her wishes was no longer required and the application was withdrawn.

Liam Gibson SPUC's development officer in Northern Ireland, told the media:
"This case highlights the very serious issue of women being coerced into having abortions. Despite the slogans, women frequently undergo abortions because they feel they have no choice. No woman should be compelled by parents, a husband, boyfriend or even financial pressures to have an abortion. And no one can give proper consent without being informed of the serious and potentially life-long consequences of abortion. These are issues which the Irish government has completely ignored in its rush to legalise abortion in Ireland.

In this case, the fact that the young woman would have had to travel to Britain for an abortion provided vital time in which a forced abortion could be prevented. Other women have not been so lucky."
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Thursday, 18 July 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 18 July

Top stories:

Same-sex marriage bill becomes law
The government's bill for same-sex marriage has now become law after its final parliamentary approval in the House of Commons last night and Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen today. Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, commented: "SPUC notes with deep regret the approval of the bill. The bill's provisions amount to a forthright attack on the natural institution of marriage. It will lead to discrimination and oppression of those who recognise the true importance of marriage for the generation of stable, sustainable families. The bill springs from an antagonism towards traditional families based on a lifelong faithful union geared to the raising and care of children. It will not only lead to further disintegration of families but to enforced teaching of children that 'same-sex marriage' is equivalent to real marriage." [SPUC, 16 July] Sir Gerald Howarth MP warned: There are lots of people out there now who despite all that's been said here will feel unable or inhibited from expressing their true opinions that marriage can only be between a man and a woman. Because we live in a politically correct society and it's going to be very interesting to see what happens to teachers. How many teachers will feel able to express their views even in denominational schools for fear of upsetting their political masters and might lose their jobs?" [Telegraph, 17 July]

See related LifeSiteNews.com report [16 July] with comments by Anthony McCarthy of SPUC regarding Catholic parliamentarians: "Conscience is not about personal preferences or taste and it cannot be about conformity to party politics. The obligation to seek the truth must never be curtailed in the interests of ‘consensus’. Too often our political class has made itself shallow by contenting itself to hold superficial convictions rather than deeply informed and judgements, faithful to the faith which they profess. Is it any wonder that, e.g. Catholic politicians, have become completely unable to speak for their fellow faithful when they adopt a ‘liberal’ view of conscience which perpetuates the very liberalism that undermines pro-life and pro-family policies?"

Aborting disabled babies is offensive and government-driven and getting worse
Aborting disabled babies is offensive and government-driven and getting worse, says SPUC. SPUC made the comments in an analysis of the latest official statistics for abortions in 2012. Anthony McCarthy, SPUC's education manager, commented: "It is tragic that, largely unremarked, the latest DoH abortion statistics show that Ground E abortions for suspected handidcap in the foetus were 2,692 this year, as opposed to 2,307 in 2011, an increase of nearly 300. Late abortions (post-24 weeks) have risen from 146 to 160, and that 99 of these took place after 26 weeks. Nearly all of these will have been for disability, at least according to the law ... [T]he double-standard between post-birth care for the disabled and the NHS-funded elimination of the disabled before birth continues apace." [SPUC, 18 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology
Euthanasia
  • Euthanasia Holocaust was not about ‘Nazis,’ but eugenics enthusiasts: and now they’re back [LifeSiteNews.com, 17 July]
Population
  • UK official forecaster says more immigration necessary to reduce strain of ageing population [Telegraph, 17 July]
  • Adult diapers to outsell baby nappies by end of decade in Japan [Telegraph, 15 July]
Sexual ethics
  • French police begin to rebel against being used by Hollande to oppress pro-marriage demonstrators [Protect the Pope, 17 July]
General
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Aborting disabled babies is offensive and government-driven and getting worse

SPUC has commented on the latest official statistics for abortions in 2012.

Anthony McCarthy, SPUC's education manager, said:
"It is tragic that, largely unremarked, the latest DoH abortion statistics show that Ground E abortions for suspected handidcap in the foetus were 2,692 this year, as opposed to 2,307 in 2011, an increase of nearly 300.

Late abortions (post-24 weeks) have risen from 146 to 160, and that 99 of these took place after 26 weeks. Nearly all of these will have been for disability, at least according to the law."

The DoH policy of promoting universal screening to ensure that as many disabled babies as possible are aborted has been in place for many years, so it is difficult to know the reasons for the increase.

There have been discrepancies between figures published by the DoH and those from Eurocat and the National Down Syndrome Cytogenic Register on abortion for disability. Possible prior underreporting by the DoH may explain the situation, though trends in later-age pregnancies may also be a factor. Either way, the double-standard between post-birth care for the disabled and the NHS-funded elimination of the disabled before birth continues apace.

Forward thinkers in the pro-abortion lobby are pressing for this double-standard to be abolished, by introducing infanticide – as evidenced by a special edition of the Journal of Medical Ethics earlier this year, with editorials calling for this to be examined." (See http://jme.bmj.com/content/39/5/260.extract )
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Tuesday, 16 July 2013

SPUC reflects on Dail approval of Irish abortion bill

SPUC has issued the following reflection on the Dáil's recent approval of the Irish government's abortion bill:

Irish politicians vote for the introduction of abortion:

The Irish parliament (Dáil Éireann) voted to approve a bill to legalise abortion in the early hours of Friday morning last. Sadly, only 31 of the 166 TDs (MPs) voted against the bill. It will now be considered by the Senate, where further attempts will be made to amend it. It is expected that this process will last for six days. Depending on whether any amendments are agreed, the bill will either return to the Dáil to be finalised, or, if it remains unamended, will be sent directly to the President for signature.

The bill has attracted criticisms for the grounds on which it has been introduced, the dishonesty of its promoters, and the likely effects it will have.

Grounds of introduction:

The background reasons for the introduction of the legislation relate back to the Supreme Court decision in the 'X Case', and the subsequent decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the 'A, B & C Case'. However, the current bill was introduced on the basis of media frenzy following the death of a mother in pregnancy. This frenzy was despite the fact that Ireland without abortion has consistently been one of the safest countries in world to give birth (e.g. much safer than the US and the UK).

The proposed legislation is the result of a long-term campaign by political parties and organisations with an ideological commitment to promote abortion without regard to health indications. Organisations such as the Labour Party, Doctors for Choice, IPPF (of which the Irish Family Planning Association is an affiliate) and others.

Dishonesty of the promoters:

The title of the bill misrepresents the content. It is called the "Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill", but it aims to legalise the killing of unborn babies in Ireland.

The bill repeals the statutory ban on abortion in sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. These are the main provisions that give effect to the constitutional protection of unborn children inscribed in the Irish Constitution. The attempt within the legislation to replace the 1861 Act is unsatisfactory.

Fine Gael, the major government party, in bringing forward this legislation has reneged on assurances given before the last election that it would not legislate for abortion.

Likely effects of enacting the bill:

By allowing abortion to be authorised for a threat or fear of suicide, the bill invites long-term widespread abuse.

The supposed safeguard of multiple doctors’ signatures has proved no bar to doctors offering abortion on demand in the UK. Most abortions are said to be necessary for mental health, but abortion aggravates mental health problems.

Medics, including family doctors, nurses and midwives, who refuse to help kill unborn children on grounds of conscience (and also refuse to help arrange for someone else to do so) will be in breach of this law and subject to undefined consequences. Forcing people to act against their conscience is a further indication of the barbarity and intolerance behind this bill.

The bill will lead to health officials driving forward a radical pro-abortion regime.

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Pro-family group SPUC laments Lords approval of same-sex marriage bill

SPUC has lamented the passing of the Marriage (Same Sex Marriage) Bill by the House of Lords yesterday.

Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, told the media earlier today:
"SPUC notes with deep regret the House of Lords's approval of the bill. The bill's provisions amount to a forthright attack on the natural institution of marriage. It will lead to discrimination and oppression of those who recognise the true importance of marriage for the generation of stable, sustainable families.

The bill springs from an antagonism towards traditional families based on a lifelong faithful union geared to the raising and care of children. It will not only lead to further disintegration of families but to enforced teaching of children that 'same-sex marriage' is equivalent to real marriage."
SPUC has published a position paper on same-sex marriage – explaining why SPUC campaigns for real marriage, and a background paper to be read in conjunction with the position paper and which provides some additional references and reflections.

The bill is expected to return this evening to the House of Commons for MPs to consider amendments made to the bill in the House of Lords by the government, none of which were major amendments. It is predicted that, by the end of this week, the Commons will give final parliamentary approval to the bill and Her Majesty the Queen will give it Royal Assent.

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Monday, 15 July 2013

Same-sex marriage bill passes House of Lords

Top stories:

Same-sex marriage bill passes House of Lords
The government's Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill has passed the House of Lords without further opposition. The bill is expected to return tomorrow to the House of Commons for MPs to consider amendments made to the bill in the House of Lords by the government, none of which were major amendments. It is predicted that, by the end of this week, the Commons will give final parliamentary approval to the bill and Her Majesty the Queen will give it Royal Assent. [Telegraph, 15 July]

Irish abortion bill news round-up:
  • Minister Creighton exercises conscientious objection despite Enda Kenny's threats [Pat Buckley, 12 July]
  • High Court challenge to Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill rejected as the Bill is currently under consideration [Pat Buckley, 12 July]
  • All night debate in Ireland's pro-abortion legislation failed to dispose of all amendments [Pat Buckley, 11 July]
  • Call from Europe for Taoiseach to respect conscientious objection of Fine Gael Party members [Pat Buckley, 10 July]
  • Ireland's proposed abortion bill will advance abortion as a human right says Dana [Pat Buckley, 9 July]
Other stories:

Abortion
  • NHS figures disclose 33 women have had at least nine abortions [Telegraph, 11 July]
  • Number of abortions performed on cohabitees has trebled in a decade [Mail, 11 July]
  • Chile's president praises 11-year-old for going ahead with pregnancy resulting from rape [Telegraph, 11 July]
Euthanasia
  • Liverpool care pathway should be phased out, independent review finds [Guardian, 15 July]
Population
  • Scholar says population fears ignore history's evidence [CNA, 11 July]
  • China's Big (and Growing) Problem With Its Elderly Population [Atlantic, 10 July]
Sexual ethics
General
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Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 9 July

Top story:

Safe at School broadly welcomes changes to National Curriculum science
Safe at School, a campaign of SPUC, has "broadly welcomed" the programme of study for science at Key Stages 1 and 2, in the new National Curriculum published today. Safe at School is pleased to see that at Key Stage 1, the new curriculum does not stipulate that children are required to identify the human sexual organs - just as in the current curriculum. The new curriculum contains non-statutory "Notes and guidance" with a suggested list of main body  parts. No sexual organs are on the list. [SPUC, 8 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology and stem cell research
Euthanasia
  • Woman opened her eyes as doctors who thought she was brain dead began to take out her organs for donation [Mail, 9 July]
  • Germany memorial for Nazi euthanasia victims [BBC, 8 July]
Sexual ethics
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Monday, 8 July 2013

Safe at School broadly welcomes changes to National Curriculum science

SPUC Safe at School has "broadly welcomed" the programme of study for science at Key Stages 1 and 2, in the new National Curriculum published today.

Safe at School is pleased to see that at Key Stage 1, the new curriculum does not stipulate that children are required to identify the human sexual organs - just as in the current curriculum. The new curriculum contains non-statutory "Notes and guidance" with a suggested list of main body  parts. No sexual organs are on the list.

Antonia Tully, national co-ordinator of Safe at School, told the media earlier today:
"Many  primary schools have been interpreting the requirement for children to know the main parts of the body to include the sexual organs. Parents are very unhappy when this happens."
Under the newly-published National Curriculum children at Key Stage 2 are required "to notice that animals, including humans, have offspring which grow into adults."

Mrs Tully said:
"The removal of the word 'reproduction' from the statutory requirement is an important change. At present under the current curriculum the inclusion of the word 'reproduction' is acting as a green light for schools to teach children about sexual intercourse in  science lessons from which their parents cannot withdraw them.

In addition, the notes and guidance state clearly that children 'should not be expected to understand how reproduction occurs'. In our submission to the consultation on the draft curriculum, we pointed out that the references to reproduction were vague and that  many teachers were interpreting this to mean that human sexual  intercourse had to be taught. This was tantamount to compulsory sex education by the back door."
Last month parents in Tower Hamlets took to the streets in protest against their children being taught about sex in science classes from which they could not remove them. (See http://www.spuc.org.uk/news/releases/2013/june27 )

Mrs Tully concluded:
"Hopefully parents around the country will have peace of mind now that their children will not be subjected to explicit information about sex in science lessons. Sex education must remain a non-compulsory subject. Unlike many other school subjects, the parent  is the only one who knows when a child is ready to receive information about sex. Increasingly parents insist that they are the ones to give this information to their primary-aged children, not the school."
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Friday, 5 July 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Fri 5 July

Top stories:

Final chance to stop anti-marriage bill 
The "same-sex marriage" bill is in its final stages. Peers (members of the House of Lords) will debate the bill again on Monday 8 July and Wednesday 10 July, and finally on Monday 15 July. MPs are likely to consider the Lords amendments to the Bill on 16 or 17 July. Please email/write to Peers and your MP, asking them and the government to stop the efforts to undermine marriage. This may be our last chance to lobby against the damaging (anti-)Marriage Same-Sex Couples bill reaching the statute book. [SPUC, 4 July]

Please support national petition opposing school lessons in pornography
SPUC has launched a petition to protect school children from the latest anti-life idea – pornography lessons in the classroom. Porn lessons are being promoted by the Sex Education Forum (SEF). These lessons are not about how to avoid pornography, they are about dangling porn in front of young school pupils and encouraging them to embrace it in their lives. [SPUC, 4 July]

Pope Francis encyclical: love not enough for marriage, sexual differentiation also necessary, thus enabling children
Pope Francis's first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" (The Light of Faith) has addressed the question of same-sex marriage. In a section entitled "Faith and the family", the Pope refers to "the stable union of man and woman in marriage" and "sexual differentiation". Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented earlier today on this section for LifeSiteNews.com: "The message from Pope Francis in his first encyclical is that the life-bearing potential of heterosexuality is the prerequisite of marriage. What is also clear is the type of love which is required for marriage: not the modern notion of sexual desire and personal satisfaction, but a complementarity between the sexes leading to total mutual self-giving and thus openness to the responsibility of parenthood. The Pope is thus linking being pro-life with having a correct understanding of the true nature of marriage. His words will be of great assistance to pro-life organisations who are fighting homosexual 'marriage'. We know that the homosexual attack on marriage is an attack on the family, which is the best protector of children, both born and unborn." [John Smeaton, 5 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology and stem cell research
Euthanasia
Sexual ethics
General
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Pope Francis encyclical: love not enough for marriage, sexual differentiation also necessary, thus enabling children

Pope Francis has today published his first encyclical, "Lumen Fidei" (The Light of Faith). Sections 52 & 53 are entitled "Faith and the family" (see full text of these sections below). Section 52 addresses the question of same-sex marriage, thus:
"I think first and foremost of the stable union of man and woman in marriage. This union is born of their love, as a sign and presence of God’s own love, and of the acknowledgment and acceptance of the goodness of sexual differentiation, whereby spouses can become one flesh (cf.Gen 2:24) and are enabled to give birth to a new life, a manifestation of the Creator’s goodness, wisdom and loving plan. Grounded in this love, a man and a woman can promise each other mutual love in a gesture which engages their entire lives and mirrors many features of faith. Promising love for ever is possible when we perceive a plan bigger than our own ideas and undertakings, a plan which sustains us and enables us to surrender our future entirely to the one we love. Faith also helps us to grasp in all its depth and richness the begetting of children, as a sign of the love of the Creator who entrusts us with the mystery of a new person."
Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented earlier today on this section for LifeSiteNews.com:
"The message from Pope Francis in his first encyclical is that the life-bearing potential of heterosexuality is the prerequisite of marriage. What is also clear is the type of love which is required for marriage: not the modern notion of sexual desire and personal satisfaction, but a complementarity between the sexes leading to total mutual self-giving and thus openness to the responsibility of parenthood. The Pope is thus linking being pro-life with having a correct understanding of the true nature of marriage. His words will be of great assistance to pro-life organisations who are fighting homosexual 'marriage'. We know that the homosexual attack on marriage is an attack on the family, which is the best protector of children, both born and unborn."
 Faith and the family in Pope Francis, "Lumen Fidei", 29 June (published 5 July) 2013.
Faith and the family

52. In Abraham’s journey towards the future city, the Letter to the Hebrews mentions the blessing which was passed on from fathers to sons (cf.Heb 11:20-21). The first setting in which faith enlightens the human city is the family. I think first and foremost of the stable union of man and woman in marriage. This union is born of their love, as a sign and presence of God’s own love, and of the acknowledgment and acceptance of the goodness of sexual differentiation, whereby spouses can become one flesh (cf.Gen 2:24) and are enabled to give birth to a new life, a manifestation of the Creator’s goodness, wisdom and loving plan. Grounded in this love, a man and a woman can promise each other mutual love in a gesture which engages their entire lives and mirrors many features of faith. Promising love for ever is possible when we perceive a plan bigger than our own ideas and undertakings, a plan which sustains us and enables us to surrender our future entirely to the one we love. Faith also helps us to grasp in all its depth and richness the begetting of children, as a sign of the love of the Creator who entrusts us with the mystery of a new person. So it was that Sarah, by faith, became a mother, for she trusted in God’s fidelity to his promise (cf. Heb 11:11).

53. In the family, faith accompanies every age of life, beginning with childhood: children learn to trust in the love of their parents. This is why it is so important that within their families parents encourage shared expressions of faith which can help children gradually to mature in their own faith. Young people in particular, who are going through a period in their lives which is so complex, rich and important for their faith, ought to feel the constant closeness and support of their families and the Church in their journey of faith. We have all seen, during World Youth Days, the joy that young people show in their faith and their desire for an ever more solid and generous life of faith. Young people want to live life to the fullest. Encountering Christ, letting themselves be caught up in and guided by his love, enlarges the horizons of existence, gives it a firm hope which will not disappoint. Faith is no refuge for the fainthearted, but something which enhances our lives. It makes us aware of a magnificent calling, the vocation of love. It assures us that this love is trustworthy and worth embracing, for it is based on God’s faithfulness which is stronger than our every weakness.
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Thursday, 4 July 2013

Final chance to stop anti-marriage bill

The "same-sex marriage" bill is in its final stages. Peers (members of the House of Lords) will debate the bill again on Monday 8 July and Wednesday 10 July, and finally on Monday 15 July. MPs are likely to consider the Lords amendments to the Bill on 16 or 17 July.

Action:

Please email/write to:
1) Peers
and
2) your MP
asking them and the government to stop the efforts to undermine marriage. This may be our last chance to lobby against the damaging (anti-)Marriage Same-Sex Couples bill reaching the statute book.

If you have previously volunteered for our Adopt a Peer project, please write to your allotted Peer. Otherwise please email political@spuc.org.uk with "Peers to Lobby" in the subject line and we will send you a suggested list of Peers to contact.  To confirm the name of your MP, visit www.spuc.org.uk/mps  - you can email your MP via the same webpage. To write to MPs by post the address is House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. You can also telephone MPs via the House of Commons switchboard on 020 7219 3000.

Why oppose the redefinition of marriage:
  • Marriages will be weakened, and will come to seem pointless to many young couples
  • More unborn children will be conceived outside the protection of marriage, leaving them at greater risk of abortion
  • Schools will be made to teach counterfeit marriage
  • The central promises of marriage (about loyalty and faithfulness for life) will receive even less recognition and legal support than at present – damaging existing marriages
  • Clergy and other church representatives will come under attack if they uphold real marriage.
The government claims that the bill would make marriage stronger, and Peers and MPs have said that calling homosexual or lesbian couples "married" won’t affect others. 

However, during the House of Lords debate, Baroness Stowell, the Minister for the bill, said:
"marriage does not require the fidelity of couples. It is open to each couple to decide for themselves on the importance of fidelity within their own relationship."
She was referring here to real (i.e. man-woman) marriages.

Baroness Stowell’s view of the law is highly questionable, and it belittles the importance of fidelity. She was attacking the promise which is at the heart of marriage in law, religion and society. This statement suggests that wider moves to undermine lasting, faithful marriages could follow in future. Please speak out and pray now for this bill to be stopped.

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Please support national petition opposing school lessons in pornography

SPUC has launched a petition to protect school children from the latest anti-life idea - pornography lessons in the classroom.

These lessons are not about how to avoid pornography, they are about dangling porn in front of young school pupils and encouraging them to embrace it in their lives.

Porn lessons are being promoted by the Sex Education Forum (SEF). The SEF is a broad coalition of pro-abortion and anti-family groups with strong ‘establishment’ support and wants sex education to be made compulsory in schools.

Pornography harms young children (and others). As well as making them vulnerable to exploitation, it spreads the kind of sexual culture that drives up abortions.

Act now:
  1. Sign the petition and collect signatures. Click here to download and print off a petition form
  2. Read our flyer explaining the move to bring pornography into schools. Click here to see the flyer
  3. Will you organise a team of people in your area to deliver this leaflet door-to-door? This is so important, we must let the public know what is going on. Please call 020 7091 7091
  4. Write to your MP today to voice your concern about pornography lessons in schools. Use our webpage to contact your MP. (Please remember to forward any replies you receive from MPs to SPUC's political department political@spuc.org.uk)
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Wednesday, 3 July 2013

I'm proud of SPUC's youth blog - read and pass it on today

I am very proud of SPUC's team of youth leaders and their blog "Why I am Pro Life". I am particularly proud about how they are leading their peers into understanding how same-sex marriage affects the pro-life battle: for example, see their posts:
People both young and old are quite capable of understanding such links between pro-family and pro-life issues. Unless, however, many more people are made aware of these links, then the pro-life movement will not be able to withstand the growing onslaught from the culture of death. So I encourage you strongly, whether you are young or old, to SPUC's youth blog and pass it on others. Below is a small selection of the many posts which have appeared on the blog since its launch in February last year:
You can sign up to receive an email alert everytime a new blogpost is published. Go to http://www.spuc.org.uk/em-signup and select "youth (including youth blog alerts)".

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Outraged Sutton parent to hold public meeting on explicit sex film shown in local primary school

A Sutton parent, Iqbal Rajah, is organising a public meeting to address the question "Sex education in primary schools: What are they teaching our children?"

The meeting will be held this Friday (5 July) at The Sports Village, Rose Hill Park, Rose Hill, Sutton, SM1 3HH, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Mr Rajah explained:
"My main reason for organising the meeting is to raise public awareness and empower parents to challenge inappropriate sex education in primary schools.

I was outraged after I previewed the sex education video planned to be shown to all Year 5 children aged 9/10 - including my son - at Devonshire Primary School. The particular video I saw promoted exploration of the male and female sex organs in children, with a narrator explaining it 'feels nice'.

I was horrified even further when I took this matter up with the headteacher, only to be told that, whilst he felt uncomfortable discussing it with me, he fully endorsed the Channel 4 sex education teaching programme 'Living & Growing'. I am not against sex education but believe in age-appropriate sex education. We, as parents know our children best."
Mr Rajah has invited Antonia Tully of SPUC's Safe at School campaign to speak at the meeting, along with Mr Yusuf Patel of SREIslamic.

Mrs Tully said:
"Parents are naturally shocked when they see the graphic cartoon depiction of sexual intercourse which is included in this programme. There is no evidence that this sort of provocative material benefits young children. In addition there is no evidence that showing primary-aged children graphic sexual material reduces teenage pregnancies."
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Monday, 1 July 2013

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Mon 1 July

Top stories:

Mitochondrial research will cost lives
Mitochondrial research will cost lives, says SPUC. SPUC was responding to the announcement by Professor Dame Sally Davies, the government's chief medical officer that the government intends to bring forth draft regulations to allow the abnormal creation of human embryos in order to address mitochondrial diseases. In a statement, Dame Sally described the research as "life-saving treatment". A spokesman for SPUC responded: "In fact, the vast majority of embryonic children created in the laboratory are killed because they do not meet the 'quality control' requirements dictated by scientists involved in such increasingly macabre experiments. Also, over the past 20 years, proponents of human embryo experimentation have repeatedly claimed that such research offered the promise - and perhaps the only hope - of finding treatments for serious diseases. The public has been repeatedly misled. It is the biotech industry's excuse to create a genetically manipulated baby." [SPUC, 28 June]
Paul Tully, SPUC's general-secretary, told ITV News: "We're concerned that we are replacing what we know to be defective DNA in the embryos that we don't like with what we think is good DNA - but we can't be sure. Putting the money into this kind of research is denying funding to research which is needed and ongoing to help people with mitochondrial diseases and other diseases in other ways. We've seen the same thing before with stem cell research, we've seen it with IVF - promises that using embryos will lead to advances but come to nothing." [ITV, 28 June]

Tower Hamlets Council gets it wrong over teaching children about sex in science lessons
“Keep sex out of science lessons” was the key message from a demonstration of parents outside Arnhem Wharf Primary school in east London, organised by Tower Hamlets Parents' Action Group – SRE, and supported by SPUC Safe at School. 80 parents (pictured - click photo for high resolution) gathered outside the school between 2-3pm last Wednesday at exactly the time when Year 6 children inside the school were being shown sexually-explicit images in a science lesson from which their parents were unable to withdraw them. [SPUC, 27 June]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology
Euthanasia
  • Notorious child killer's suicide bid blocked after insanity reconfirmed [Mirror, 28 June]
Population
Sexual ethics
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Saturday, 29 June 2013

Far-sighted policies in Australia are blocking same-sex marriage extremists

John Howard, former
Australian Prime Minister
I am grateful to Father John Fleming, SPUC's bioethics adviser, for his contribution to my blog today. Fr Fleming provides the historical background/explanation as to how the Federal Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia continues to reject legislation aimed at the recognition of same sex relationships as a marriage relationship.

Fr Fleming writes:
Prior to 1961 the states and territories administered marriage laws which could vary from state to state. The Marriage Act 1961 brought marriage law in Australia under the exclusive supervision of the Commonwealth Government.

The Marriage Act did not define marriage but provided in section 46 that a marriage celebrant had to state that “marriage according to the law of Australia is the union between a man and a woman voluntarily entered into for life”. Responding to the contemporary agitation for the legal recognition of same sex marriage, the Howard Government in 2004 had the Marriage Act amended in two important ways.

1. Marriage was defined in section 5(1). The amendment says this: “Marriage according to the law of Australia is the union between a man and a woman voluntarily entered into for life.” That amendment was passed.
2. Section 88EA was also added to the Marriage Act. This provided that a union solemnised in a foreign country between (a) a man and another man; or (b) a woman and another woman: must not be recognised in Australia.

So it was that in 2004 the situation vis a vis so-called “same sex marriage” was legally settled. Undeterred, in 2012 the same sex marriage lobby in the Commonwealth Parliament sought to have the amendments passed in 2004 overturned. On 19 September 2012, a bill introduced by Labor MP Stephen Jones aimed at legalizing same-sex marriage was debated and clearly defeated 42 to 98 votes.

If such a full frontal attack on the 2004 amendments was politically unattainable at the present moment, same sex marriage promoters then sought to attack only the second of the amendments which provided that such “marriages” solemnised in foreign countries would not and could not be recognised in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Accordingly Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young introduced new legislation into the Senate (the upper house). The Bill was titled Marriage Act Amendment (Recognition of Foreign Marriages for Same-Sex couples) Bill 2013 and, if passed, would have successfully repealed the second of the two 2004 amendments. The strategy was to suggest that Australia could at least be "fair" and recognise all of the marriages solemnised legally in foreign jurisdictions.

On the 20th June 2013, the Liberal/National Coalition Parties together with several ALP (Australian Labor Party) Senators rejected the Bill at the second reading Stage, 44-28.

It would appear to be unlikely that there will be changes to Australian law favourable to the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in the next five to six years at least. With the almost certain advent of a conservative (ie Liberal/National Coalition) government in September 2013, such a change is very unlikely.

Australia owes former Prime Minister John Howard, the government, and the Parliament of 2004 a major debt of gratitude. Its pre-emptive strike in 2004, introducing pro-marriage amendments to the Marriage Act, has created a bulwark against moves which would have the effect of redefining the natural institution of marriage to include homosexual partnerships, a move which if successful, is contemptuous of the needs of children, and might well have a significant negative impact on the freedoms of the citizens to act according to his or her religious beliefs and to openly dissent from the recognition of such partnerships, especially in schools, hospitals, universities and the like.
SPUC has published a position paper on same-sex marriage – explaining why SPUC campaigns for real marriage, and a background paper to be read in conjunction with the position paper and which provides some additional references and reflections.

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Friday, 28 June 2013

Five-year old Jude sings out for the unborn child



I heard this morning from Margaret Cuthill, who runs ARCH (Abortion Recovery Care and Helpline), an organization which offers help for women, men and families to restore their lives and relationships after an abortion experience. It is committed to exposing the truth of abortion’s tragedy in our community that women deserve better than abortion. It's funded by the SPUC Education and Research Trust.

Margaret was forwarding to me a message she had received from David Joseph McAteer who wrote to her as follows:
"Hello, I'm DJ Mc Ateer, I'm a learning disability nurse. I also compose songs. I was wondering how I could help give a voice to the unborn, so I wrote a song from their perspective. I then got my wee boy to sing it and made a prolife video. I think it is an effective tool in changing peoples mind sets. Please feel free to share this. I have had so much positive feedback about the song already. Many thanks DJ McAteer PS If it saves even one baby, it'll be worth it!"
I repeat David's kind invitation: Please feel free to share this. Let's help David and Jude and their beautiful song to save many babies' lives and to save their mums from the tragedy of an abortion.

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Mitochondrial research will cost lives

SPUC has responded to today's announcement by Professor Dame Sally Davies, the government's chief medical officer, that the government intends to bring forth draft regulations to allow the abnormal creation of human embryos in order to address mitochondrial diseases. In a statement, Dame Sally described the research as "life-saving treatment".

In fact, the vast majority of embryonic children created in the laboratory are killed because they do not meet the 'quality control' requirements dictated by scientists involved in such increasingly macabre experiments. Also, over the past 20 years, proponents of human embryo experimentation have repeatedly claimed that such research offered the promise - and perhaps the only hope - of finding treatments for serious diseases. The public has been repeatedly misled. It is the biotech industry's excuse to create a genetically manipulated baby.

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Thursday, 27 June 2013

Tower Hamlets Council gets it wrong over teaching children about sex in science lessons

“Keep sex out of science lessons” was the key message from a demonstration of parents outside Arnhem Wharf Primary school in east London, organised by Tower Hamlets Parents' Action Group – SRE, and supported by SPUC Safe at School.

80 parents (pictured - click photo for high resolution) gathered outside the school between 2-3pm yesterday at exactly the time when Year 6 children inside the school were being shown sexually-explicit images in a science lesson from which their parents were unable to withdraw them.

Following the demonstration Tower Hamlets Council issued the following statement:
"All primary schools are required by law to teach every child the scientific aspects of human reproduction; which includes naming the body parts and reproduction.

"We would like to reassure parents the subject is taught with sensitivity, according to guidelines and its content is constantly reviewed. At Arnhem Wharf Primary School it is taught to pupils from Year 5 – those aged at least nine – not children aged five, as some parents had been led to believe.

"There is a wealth of evidence that demonstrates how useful young people find such education and Ofsted recently warned that a lack of high-quality, age-appropriate sex and relationships education (SRE) may leave children vulnerable to inappropriate sexual behaviours and sexual exploitation.

"Our schools are aware that this is a sensitive subject and they consult with parents regularly, providing copies of the teaching material in advance. The vast majority of parents fully welcome the teaching of SRE and recognise the vital role it plays in their child’s education. For example, only three of the 120 children in Years 5 and 6 at Arnhem Wharf have been withdrawn by their parents from the non-statutory elements of SRE. We would urge anyone with concerns to hold a constructive meeting with their headteacher."
Commenting on the statement Antonia Tully of Safe at School told the media today:
"Tower Hamlets Council have got this wrong. There is nothing in the primary National Curriculum for Science which mandates schools to teach children at Key Stages 1 and 2 about sexual organs and sexual intercourse in humans. Teachers are interpreting the curriculum to mean this.

Many parents in Tower Hamlets have read the national curriculum for themselves and they are quite clear about this.

The new draft National Curriculum was published earlier this year. There were some important changes to the science curriculum at Key Stage 1. In the new draft curriculum, non-statutory notes and guidance at Key Stage 1 contains a list of body parts children need to learn. This list does not include the sex organs. The notes also indicate that sexual intercourse is not to be covered at this stage.

These significant amendments to the primary science curriculum constitute a response from Department of Education to the growing concern among parents, like those in Tower Hamlets, that the primary science curriculum is taking away their right to protect their children from sex education.  

The Tower Hamlet Parents' Action Group never suggested that children as young as five were receiving sexually-explicit science lessons. The child at the centre of the controversy which prompted the demonstration is Anisah Alam who is in Year 6.

I challenge Tower Hamlets Council to produce the 'wealth of information that demonstrates how useful young people find such education'. Our research shows quite the opposite. The Council may wish to look at Wiggins M, Bonell C et al., 'Health outcomes of youth development programme in England, prospective matched comparison study.' (BMJ 2009; 339:b2534). This landmark study showed that delivering intensive sex education to young teenagers resulted in 3.5 times as many girls getting pregnant than in the control group. This sort of study does not suggest that teaching children in primary school about sex will result in delayed sexual activity.

I would also like to point out to Tower Hamlets Council that over 10,000 local people, mainly parents, signed a petition last year objecting strongly to the presence of the sexually-explicit teaching programme, the Christopher Winter Project, in Tower Hamlets Schools. This is the resource that was being used on the afternoon of 26 June in Arnhem Wharf Primary School.

The continuing complaint of parents in the borough is that they are unable to have 'a constructive meeting with their headteacher'.  One headteacher admitted to parents that she knew she didn't have to teach sex in science lessons, but that she wanted to.

There is total confusion surrounding the National Curriculum for science at Key Stages 1 and 2. The Government needs to issue an urgent statement to Local Authorities about exactly what must be taught."
Also pictured are this summer's SPUC interns who attended and assisted at the protest:


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Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 27 June

Top stories:

Double standards at UK's advertising industry watchdog
The UK's advertising watchdog has been accused on double-standards as it conducts an investigation into a newspaper advertisement about the government's bill on same-sex marriage. SPUC, which produced the advertisement, said the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) was protecting election advertising by politicians but censoring non-election advertising about bills proposed by politicians. SPUC's advertisement warned that "gay relationships will be promoted in schools" if the Government's Marriage (Same Sex Couples) bill becomes law. [SPUC, 26 June]

National petition opposing school lessons in pornography
SPUC has launched a petition to protect school children from the latest anti-life idea – pornography lessons in the classroom. Porn lessons are being promoted by the Sex Education Forum (SEF). These lessons are not about how to avoid pornography, they are about dangling porn in front of young school pupils and encouraging them to embrace it in their lives. [SPUC. 25 June] Read more and act now

Other stories:

Abortion
Euthanasia
Sexual ethics
General
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