JOHN SMEATON, DIRECTOR OF SPUC: new monthly Catholic ethics forum

Tuesday, 29 January 2008

new monthly Catholic ethics forum

Andrew Swampillai has alerted me to a “new pro-life initiative for young people”. He tells me: “A group of medical students and young doctors have started a monthly Catholic ethics forum in association with the Linacre Centre. It is aimed at exploring the Catholic position on bioethical issues and geared towards anyone interested, especially in the healthcare profession. Being the first of its kind in London, we thought it may be of interest to your blog readers and people on your email lists. Our first talk is [tomorrow, Wednesday 30 January] at 6.30 pm at Vaughan House (behind Westminster Cathedral) and will be given by Dr Charlie O' Donnell and is entitled So you want to be a good Catholic health professional?" More information is available from Stephen Barrie on (020) 7266 7413.

About Me

I became involved in SPUC after graduating, when I established a branch in south London in 1974. I have worked full-time for SPUC for 42 years. I became chief executive of SPUC in the UK in 1996, having been general secretary since 1978. I was elected vice-president of International Right to Life Federation in 2005. At UN conferences in Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and Rome, I helped coordinate more than 150 pro-life/pro-family groups resulting in pro-life victories in Cairo, Istanbul and Rome. I was educated at Salesian College, London, before going to Oxford where I graduated in English Language and Literature. I qualified as a teacher, becoming head of English at a secondary school. I am married to Josephine. We have a grown-up family and we live in north London.