No pro-life leader will match Dr Jack Willke's worldwide educational impact: May he rest in peace!

Pictured above left to right in September 2009 at SPUC's London office are:

• William Saunders, then senior vice president of legal affairs, Americans United to Life
• Francisco "Kit" Tatad, former senate majority leader, Philippines
• Dr Talmir Rodrigues, paediatrician, member of the Brazilian federal parliament
• Pat Buckley, one of SPUC's lobbyists at the United Nations
• Dr Jack Willke, IRTLF president and president of Life Issues Institute
• Mrs Fenny Tatad, executive director, Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the Philippines
• Peter Smith, another of SPUC's lobbyist at the United Nations
• myself
• Jim Hughes, national president, Campaign Life Coalition, Canada
• Chiang Lim, then chief executive officer, NSW (New South Wales) Right to Life

Dr Jack Willke, the father of the worldwide pro-life movement, who died last Friday, has been a friend and collaborator of SPUC's for over 40 years. He was 89. May he rest in peace.

To understand something of the full significance of Jack's life and work - shared by Barbara his beloved wife - read the obituaries in the National Review Online, and the Washington Post.

No other pro-life leader or organisation will match the solid educational work done by Jack and Barbara Willke through their books and lectures. And for virtually the whole of their active pro-life service, they did it without the aid of the worldwide web.

Their title Handbook on Abortion, the New York Times tells us, sold a million and a half copies - and there were so many other titles besides ... Other significant publications included: Abortion and Slavery, History Repeats and Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia, Past & Present and they co-authored six other books on human sexuality which have been translated into 30 languages. Five years ago they had clocked up 87 countries in which they had lectured ... and rising ... He also broadcast on 400 radio stations - one-minute pro-life messages in a programme entitled "Life Jewels". Jack was a pro-life marketing genius. Brad Mattes, his successor (see below) has kept up this remarkable broadcasting output since Jack stepped back a few years ago. His legacy is alive and very well.

SPUC's presentation in schools, albeit updated with the latest research and delivered with the aid of all that modern technology provides, is fundamentally based on the Willke slide presentation which I personally watched them present in The Philippines, in the UK, in Kenya and elsewhere.

I had the honour of serving as joint vice-president of International Right to Life Federation, with Jim Hughes, Canada's Campaign Life Coalition national president, during the final years of Jack's presidency - now succeeded by Brad Mattes who also succeeded Jack as president of Life Issues Institute.

During Jack's visit to the UK in September 2009 (see picture above), Jack delivered a message of hope to SPUC's national conference in which he said: “We must keep doing what we’re doing. It’s slow but we shall win in the end.” One could not lose the argument, he said, when one advanced the case that abortion killed babies.

On behalf of my colleagues in SPUC, and our thousands of supporters, I sent heartfelt condolences and a promise of prayers to Jack's family, his six children and 22 grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

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Major international pro-family conference in Moscow - SPUC represented

Today and yesterday, a major pro-family conference entitled International Forum ‘Large family and the future of humanity’ has been held in the Kremlin, Moscow. SPUC staff, as well as many colleagues from other pro-life/pro-family, are in Moscow, making a major contribution to the conference:

• Maria Madise, SPUC's International, UN and Research Officer
• Pat Buckley, one of SPUC's representatives at the United Nations
• Dr Thomas Ward, founder and former President of the National Association of Catholic Families (NACF)
• Obianuju "Uju" Ekeocha, who runs Culture of Life Africa (COLA) 

John-Henry Westen of LifeSiteNews.com, who is one of the keynote speakers, reports that the conference has been attended by

"1,000 delegates from all over the world including over 200 from the West ... Put on by the St. Andrew the First-Called and the St. Basil the Great Foundations, the conference is sanctioned and supported by the federal government."

 Below is the statement issued before today's plenary session:

“Our World is going through an epoch of instability and social crisis closely inter-related with the global transformations in all key spheres of human development and civilisation,” states the concept of the International Forum for Large Family and the Future of Humanity, held in Moscow, 10 and 11 September. An impressive document composed to define the key principles of human existence and family that cannot change continues:

The most important factor in this epoch is the transformation of what it means to be a living, human being and to experience human dignity as intended by the Creator.

[… H]uman beings created in the image of God are no longer … the conceptual and ethical center of the whole of Creation.

With the profound philosophical transformations of the human concept, the historical foundations of civilized human life are now being forced to change and the concept of the family is not an exception. According to the overwhelming majority of people this modern-day ambiguity, relativity, and indeterminacy regarding family, creates the threat to the civilized existence of societies.

Only precise and univalent definitions may permit us to understand that behind the fuzzy explanations of modern humanism and jargon, there hides traits of degradation and deception that would lead to the death of humanity. Only truthful and accurate definitions contradicting the contemporary views allow us to make the conclusion: our era is not so much about the family crisis as the foundation of society, but the very idea of family.

Today, the meaning of family in the context of global ideological competition from self-interested post-modern humanists and challenges to ensure the survival and sovereignty of modern states grows to such an extent that the protection of the classical notions of normative behaviour, civilized man, the human family, and the definition of marriage have to be enshrined in national constitutions.

Humanity must move forward into the future based on the understanding that the natural family has been and remains the foundations of the civilization; and the family was – and still is – and forever will be the marriage between man and woman with many children.

The speakers include:

• Natalia Yakunina (Russia; Chairwoman)
• Archpriest Dmitrtry Smirnov (Russia)
• Konstantin Malofeev (Russia)
• Anatoly Antonov (Russia)
• Donald Feder (USA)
• Elena Mizulina (Russia)
• Lawrence D. Jacobs (USA)
• Hilarion (Chairman of the Department of exernal Church Relations, Moscow Patriarchate)
• Francisco S. Tatad (Philippines)
• Thomas Ward (UK, President of the National Association of Catholic Families)
• Sharon Slater (USA, President of Family Watch International)
• Christine Vollmer (Venezuela; President of Latin American Alliance of the Family)
• Theresa Okafor (Nigeria; Director of Foundation for African Cultural Heritage)
• Holy Patriarch Kirill (Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia)
• Vladimir Yakunin (Russia)
• Aymeric Chauprade (France)
• Patrick Buckley (Ireland)
• Obianuju Ekeocha (Nigeria/UK)
• Radim Uchac (Czech Republic)
• Archpriest Maxim Obukov (Russia)
• John-Henry Westen (Canada)

The first day of the Forum with grand artistic celebrations for the family was held in the State Kremlin Palace. The plenary session and 10 roundtables today are taking place in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

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Philippines welcomes its 100 millionth citizen

baby Chonalyn

Top story:

Philippines welcomes its 100 millionth citizen
The Philippines has welcomed the birth of its 100 millionth citizen. The baby girl, named Chonalyn, was born in a hospital in Manila, the capital. Over half of the country's population is under 25. [Mail, 27 July]

Other stories:

Abortion

• I was pro-choice to the core and then everything changed… I had an abortion [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 July]

Embryology

• Woman bears late husband's child two years after his death [Express, 27 July]
• Single women should not get free IVF, say ethics experts [Telegraph, 25 July]

Euthanasia

• Euthanasia could be option for poor, says Lithuanian health minister [BioEdge, 26 July]
• Family in shock as grandmother dies ‘without dignity’ [Milton Keynes Citizen, 23 July]

Sexual ethics

• New Stonewall CEO in logic fail: claims to be "practising Catholic" [John Smeaton, 30 July]
• Ban on same-sex marriages protects children, say Texas attorney-general [Guardian, 29 July] Arizona also deploys same argument in court case [Gay Star News, 28 July]
• New education secretary appoints Stonewall adviser [TES, 28 July]
• European court rules nations free to reject same-sex marriage [Catholic Culture, 28 July]

General

• New manual of Catholic medical ethics published [Connor Court Publishing, 28 July]

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BREAKING NEWS UN Human Rights Council passes pro-family resolution

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council today passed a resolution for the "Protection of the Family" (link), despite opposition from the United States, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The resolution was passed by 26 votes in favour, with 14 votes against the resolution and six abstentions. Supporters of the resolution included the Russian Federation, India and Indonesia.

Earlier the Council rejected an amendment, designed to undermine the resolution, which promoted the false concept of "various forms of the family", as opposed to the natural family based upon marriage between a man and a woman.

Patrick Buckley, representing the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) www.spuc.org.uk at Geneva, described the vote as "truly historic". He said: "Rarely has a resolution been so vigorously resisted by anti-life and anti-family forces."

The resolution:

• calls for "concerted actions to strengthen family-centred policies and programmes as part of an integrated comprehensve approach to human rights and development"
• recognises that "the family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of children"
• says that the family is "the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children"
• describes the family "the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State"

Roll-call of votes on the resolution:

Yes (26):

• Algeria
• Benin
• Botswana
• Burkina Faso
• China
• Congo
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• India
• Indonesia
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kuwait
• Maldives
• Morocco
• Namibia
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Russian Federation
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• Venezuela
• Vietnam

No (14):

• Austria
• Chile
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Montenegro
• Republic of Korea
• Romania
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Abstained (6):

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Costa Rica
• Mexico
• Peru
• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

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New Premier of New South Wales supports pro-life, pro-family values

Mike Baird and family

Top stories:

New Premier of New South Wales supports pro-life, pro-family values
Mike Baird, the new Premier of New South Wales, Australia's largest state, supports pro-life and pro-family values. The Guardian reports that Mr Baird voted for a bill which could give personhood rights to some unborn children. He also voted against embryonic stem cell research and same-sex marriage. [Guardian, 17 April]

Brian Harradine

Brian Harradine, pro-life Australian politician, dies age 79
Brian Harradine, the pro-life Australian former politician, has died aged 79. [SBS, 14 April] John Smeaton, SPUC's chief executive, said: "Senator Brian Harradine was an inspirational figure for me, who almost single-handedly stopped the Australian government from funding the anti-life population control lobby. I fondly remember his visit to SPUC’s offices in Westminster in the late 1970s. When he walked into our office, shortly after we had moved in, he said 'Gee, this is a mess! The Holy Spirit must be here'. Certainly he demonstrated in his political life the power of the Holy Spirit in confounding our enemies. May he rest in peace."

Embryology

• The rise of 'social' surrogacy [Mail, 16 April]
• Scientists discover how sperm and egg bind [Telegraph, 16 April]

Population

• Philippines population control law gets judicial green light [LifeSiteNews.com, 16 April]

Sexual ethics

• Judge Sir Paul Coleridge retires and calls for end to family breakdown [Telegraph, 17 April]

General

• Hospital let 22-week preemie die despite mother’s urgent pleas [LifeSiteNews.com, 16 April]

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Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 14 Nov

Top story:

Want to donate to The Philippines? Consider Caritas Manila

Want to donate to The Philippines? Consider Caritas Manila

Caritas Manila protests vs population control

SPUC has received enquiries in recent days from pro-lifers wanting to donate to help the people of The Philippines following the typhoon there. Readers may consider supporting Caritas Manila - donation details can be found at: http://www.caritas.org.ph/Call-To-Action/about.html
Please note that the donation process uses amounts in Philippines pesos (PhP), so you may wish to check the exchange rate/use a currency-converter to know what your donation will be in British pounds.

Unfortunately many of the member-charities of the popular Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) provide and/or and promote abortion and/or contraception etc.

• British Red Cross - which works to promote so-called "sexual and reproductive health" in crisis-hit countries, including provision of and advice about contraception. "Sexual and reproductive health" and similar words are used commonly as either technical terms or as euphemisms for abortion on demand
• Christian Aid - which promotes contraception in the developing world
• Concern Worldwide - which also promotes so-called "reproductive health" including condom use
• Islamic Relief - which has an agreement with the anti-life/anti-family United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to promote so-called "reproductive health"
• Merlin - which has supported the Reproductive Health bill, designed to impose population control on The Philippines
• Oxfam - which has a long history of support for abortion (see my 1 March 2009 blogpost re Comic Relief)
• Plan UK  - which "support[s] quality sexual and reproductive health education and services"
• Save the Children  - which promotes contraception as an answer to poverty in the developing world
• Tearfund - whose "partners at the local level" are left to make "decisions about which contraceptive methods are promoted" (letter to SPUC, March 2011)
• World Vision - which signed a "Manifesto for Motherhood" which called on the UK Government to advocate so-called "sexual and reproductive health and rights" in other countries, including access to 'safe' abortions. World Vision may also have other links to the provision of abortifacients.

In contrast, Caritas Manila has a webpage from its chairman, Cardinal Luis Tagle, lamenting the passage of the population control bill through the national legislature - see the photo above of Caritas Manila supporters protesting against the Reproductive Health bill.

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Must-read pro-life news-stories, 2 Apr

Top story:

Be a leader in the campaign to save marriage
It seems likely that the next major vote in the House of Commons – the third reading – on the government's bill to allow same-sex marriage will take place towards the end of May. SPUC is looking for leaders to volunteer to co-ordinate local leafleting teams against this legislation. Please email johnsmeaton@spuc.org.uk if you can help. [John Smeaton, 28 March]

Other stories:

Abortion:

• Researcher: 1.72 Billion Abortions Worldwide Over Last 40 Years [LifeNews.com, 1 April]
• African and other nations strike blow for the family at Human Rights Council [John Smeaton, 29 March]
• Will Planned Parenthood Fire Staffer Promoting Infanticide? [LifeNews.com, 29 March]
• What is Planned Parenthood Hiding? Abortion Biz Engaging in Fraud [LifeNews.com, 28 March]
• Trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell underway [Pat Buckley, 27 March]
• Abortions in China since 1971 higher than total US population [Pat Buckley, 26 March]
• It's essential the pro-life movement learns from its history [John Smeaton, 25 March]
• The dire situation on adoption reveals the cruel illogicality of abortion [John Smeaton, 20 March]

Population

• Was forcibly-sterilized woman hanged at Chinese 'family planning' office? [LifeNews.com, 29 March]
• Women in India are more likely to get prenatal care when pregnant with boys, suggests study [Medical News Today, 1 April]
• Easter Sunday gift to unborn children in The Philippines [John Smeaton, 21 March]

Euthanasia

• Act to stop Liverpool Care Pathway being used as "backdoor euthanasia" [John Smeaton, 26 March]

Sexual ethics

• Rise of 'raunch culture' is damaging schoolgirls [Mail, 1 April]
• Lord Carey's trumpet call to Britons [John Smeaton, 31 March]
• Why the marriage debate should focus on the needs of children [Pat Buckley, 28 March]
• Study: 58% of children raised by lesbians call themselves homosexual [Creative Minority Report, 27 March]
• Pontifical Council for the Family sends message to pro-marriage march in Washington DC [PCF, 26 March]
• Massive demonstration in Paris against 'same sex marriage' [Pat Buckley, 25 March]

General

• Pray for life in Walsingham on Monday, 8th April [John Smeaton, 30 March]
• Cameron government's social engineering is blatantly designed to hurt children [John Smeaton, 27 March]

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Easter Sunday gift to unborn children in The Philippines

 Francisco "Kit" Tatad
former head of the Philippines senate 
& International Right to Life Federation 
board member

I welcome today's news of a temporary halt to anti-life legislation in The Philippines. Any check on the pro-abortion lobby, as they seek to trample on nations like Ireland and The Philippines where the people have historically striven to protect unborn children, is a very good thing and is prophetic of more good things to come, with the help of God.

The news comes from Brad Mattes, president of International Right to Life Federation (IRLF) - an organization of which I have the honour to be joint vice-president alongside my colleague, Jim Hughes, the President of Campaign Life Coalition in Canada.

International Right to Life Federation reports:

Pro-life advocates enjoyed an important victory when the Supreme Court of the Philippines put a temporary hold to enacting the anti-life Reproductive Health Law. The legislation had been scheduled to take effect on Easter Sunday, 31 March. However, several constitutional challenges arose. This controversial Reproductive Health Law has been met with strong opposition due to its inclusion of abortifacients. In a 10-5 vote, a 120-day stay was given pending oral arguments slated for 18 June.

Brad Mattes commended the decision saying:

“This is a positive move in respect for life. It is my hope that this temporary hold becomes permanent, thereby protecting the lives of vulnerable women and children in the Philippines.”

Pray for the beautiful Filipino people. I have been privileged to have been invited to speak about abortion in the Philippines on four occasions and I have often written about the relentless pressures brought to bear by the international pro-abortion lobby to impose extreme population control measures on this family-loving country.

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How Abortion Rights lost the argument about illegal abortion figures

Abortion Rights stunt

Abortion Rights is the UK pro-abortion group formed by the merger of the National Abortion Campaign (NAC) and the Abortion Law Reform Association (ALRA), and is supported by the trades union movement. Yesterday Abortion Rights tweeted:

"There are 600-800 illegal abortions every day in Morocco. Support legalisation here: http://bit.ly/REHm9g"

Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, tweeted back and here is the record of the conversation:

Anthony: "More fake figures from [the] abortion lobby, famous for such fakery. UK: pop. 60m, 600 legal abortions daily. Islamic Morocco: pop. 32m"

Abortion Rights: "Fakery? Don't make me laugh. Anti-choice groups have zero credibility when it comes to facts or medical accuracy."

Anthony: "Stop avoiding the q[uestion]. Back up [the] Morocco figures or withdraw. Admit abortion lobby history of faking illegal abortion stats."

Abortion Rights: "What? Don't be ridiculous. Figure comes from [the] petition link."

Anthony: "[The p]etition doesn't cite any studies, just asserts [the] figure. Back it up."

Abortion Rights: "Don't order me to back it up. If you've got a problem with the figures you're welcome to investigate. Till then, get lost."

Anthony: "In other words: you've lost the argument. No wonder you're reduced to silly stunts with coathangers and weird make-up." (Anthony was referring to a Guardian report last week, pictured).

Abortion Rights: "Ha! I won't take lessons in PR from the group that thinks 'gay marriage will increase abortion rate' is a good campaign idea."

Anthony: "We stand by our campaigns. Do you stand by the figures you tweeted for illegal abortions in Morocco?"

No further reply was received from Abortion Rights. Shortly afterwards they (we assume the tweeter was Darinka Aleksic, Abortion Rights' campaigns coordinator, pictured centre) told another pro-lifer on Twitter:

"[I]t was SPUC telling me to 'back it up', that got to me! Wouldn't normally be so irritated."

Well done Anthony for exposing the latest in a long line of cases where the pro-abortion lobby have simply invented illegal abortion figures - see the following blog-posts for more information:

• Claim of rise in illegal abortions globally is dubious
• Does legalizing abortion protect women's health?
• Pro-abortion lobby tries again to deceive Polish women
• The Philippines and backstreet abortion claims published today by AFP in Manila
• Diane Abbott MP misleads British public about "backstreet" abortion in Northern Ireland
• The Abortion Lobby's Massive Deception
  

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Episcopal failures to oppose the sexual revolution have global consequences

Michael Voris, the American Catholic apologist, has this week been visiting the Philippines. In a video recorded there, Michael said:

"Obama's attempt to ram birth control down the Church's throat [is] exactly what is happening here in the Philippines ... [I]n America, the Catholic hierarchy folded like a house of cards 40 years ago in the face of the sexual revolution ... Catholics in America need to keep Catholics in other countries in mind when casting their vote for US president. It isn't just the Church in America that Obama is attacking, but the Church all over the world."

An analogy can be made with the situation in the UK vis-a-vis the Cameron government's promotion of homosexual marriage at home and so-called gay rights abroad. British government policy can have a significant effect internationally. Policy changes in Britain have the capacity to influence policy change in the English-speaking world and in Europe. I pray that Archbishop Nichols and his fellow English and Welsh bishops will not "fold like a house of cards" in the face of the Cameron government's sexual revolution, abandoning Catholics in other countries to the homosexual agenda. It is encouraging to see Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury taking a strong stand.

*SPUC's national council, which is SPUC's policy-making body, elected by its grassroots volunteers, last year passed the following resolution to defend marriage:

"That the Council of SPUC, noting the various proposals currently being made by the present Government and others in regard to the status and standing of marriage and its consequent effect upon family life; and further noting the higher proportionate incidence of abortion in unmarried women compared to married women, resolves to do its utmost to fight for the retention of the traditional understanding of marriage in the history, culture and law of the United Kingdom, namely the exclusive union of one man with one woman for life; and accordingly instructs its officers and executive committee to conduct a major campaign to this end, to co-operate with other persons and societies in so doing and specifically to target the Government's consultation period starting in March, 2012, in regard to (so-called) same sex marriage."

**Why is homosexuality (and sexual ethics generally) important specifically for the pro-life movement? The late Pope John Paul II, the great pro-life champion, taught in no. 97 of his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae that it is an illusion to think that we can build a true culture of human life if we do not offer adolescents and young adults an authentic education in sexuality, and in love, and the whole of life according to their true meaning and in their close interconnection.

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 12 Jan

Eugenics victim

Top stories:

Please pray for SPUC on our 45th anniversary
45 years ago yesterday (11 January), the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) was established at a meeting in central London. The meeting was held at the Wig and Pen Club in the Strand. Alan Smith, who remains a member of SPUC's executive committee and on its national council, was elected joint honorary secretary of the Society at that meeting in the Strand. Alan said: "It's an important landmark in the pro-life movement of which I'm pleased to be part." [John Smeaton, 11 January]

Hundreds of forcibly-sterilised North Carolina women set to receive $50k compensation
Hundreds of women (one pictured) forcibly sterilised under a now-defunct North Carolina eugenics programme are set to receive US$50,000 each in compensation. The state task-force which determined the sum said it was not seeking to place a value on people's lives. [Mail, 10 January] Such programmes were promoted by Margaret Sanger, the founder of the worldwide abortion movement.

Jersey's health minister against assisted suicide
Anne Pryke, the health minister of the UK island of Jersey, says she will not support the legalisation of assisted suicide. The BBC reported that Mrs Pryke said that life was a privilege and should be protected. Her comments come after a widely-publicised report by a pro-suicide lobbying group. [BBC, 8 January]

Other stories:

Abortions

• Profile of sex-selective abortions in Taiwan [Independent, 10 January]
• Tablet editor jettisons the truth about pro-abortion MP Jon Cruddas [John Smeaton, 9 January]

Embryology

• NHS cutting back on IVF to save money, stats suggest [Telegraph, 12 January]
• UK researchers claim two is best number of embryos to implant in IVF [Telegraph, 12 January]
• UK study claims IVF babies born from frozen embryos are "healthier" than those from fresh ones [Mail, 6 January]
• 'Chimeric' monkeys made from cells of six different 'parents' [Mail, 6 January]

Euthanasia

• Irish high court rules that disabled boy should not be resuscitated if condition worsens [Irish Independent, 11 January]
• Anglican bishop writes against Falconer assisted suicide report [Conservative Home, 7 January]
• Leicester Mercury leader column against assisted suicide [This is Leicestershire, 7 January]

Population

• Profile of China's "Precious Snowflakes", 2nd generation of one-child policy children [Telegraph, 8 January]

Sexual ethics

• Pope's speech sparks Philippines bishops' strategy meeting against gay marriage [CathNews Philippines, 12 January]
• Australian tennis legend stands up against gay marriage [Reuters via Guardian, 11 January]
• Education for Choice fails to debunk pro-life campaign against gay marriage [John Smeaton, 10 January]
• SPUC right to campaign against gay marriage, as Pope says threats to the family "threaten the future of humanity" [John Smeaton, 10 January]
• BBC criticised over irresponsible documentary on teen sex [Mail, 9 January]
• Soho Mass organiser claims gay unions are already being blessed in Catholic churches [John Smeaton, 7 January]

General

• Alice Glenn, defender of life and family, RIP [Pat Buckley, 9 January]
• Report of SPUC director's talk to Catholic knightly order [Militiae Sanctae Mariae, 4 January]

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Mon 26 Sep

Kandice Smith & family

UN pressuring Ireland to legalise abortion
A UN committee on torture is pressuring Ireland to legalise abortion. The Committee on the Abolition of Torture said that Ireland's total ban on abortion may breach a UN convention against torture. Pat Buckley, SPUC's representative at the UN said the committee's observations were "an example of the pro-abortion strategy to create a "right to abortion" by stating falsehoods about international law and treaties over and over again until they begin to be treated as truth." [Pat Buckley, 24 September] http://goo.gl/8VfDR

Cystic fibrosis woman refuses abortion to give birth to triplets
A young American woman with cystic fibrosis has given birth to triplets after refusing abortion. Kandice Smith, 20, was warned by doctors that she may not survive giving birth. However, Miss Smith said ‘It has been the hardest fight of my life - but it has been worth every second. I would have died for my girls if I’d had to.’ [Mail, 23 September] http://goo.gl/iC1GE

UK man given suspended sentence for wife's euthanasia death
A retired British actor has been given a 12-month suspended sentence for smothering his ill wife to death. Stuart Mungall, 71, confessed to and was convicted of the manslaughter of his wife, 69, who had a degenerative brain disease. The sentence was a reduced one due to mitigating circumstances. [Peter Saunders, 23 September] http://goo.gl/2UmEV

Other stories:

Abortion

• US bishops rally Catholics to fight Obama abortifacient birth control mandate [LifeSiteNews.com, 23 September] http://goo.gl/J4ewX
• Texas abortion clinics closing after governor cuts off funding [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 September] http://goo.gl/9YWu9
• Disabled babies are killed because of a "lack of imagination" [John Smeaton, 22 September] http://goo.gl/BA7v2
• Australian song contestant resisted doctors' pressure to have abortion [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 September] http://goo.gl/QBlJy

Embryology

• US pro-life researchers continue legal fight against embryonic stem cell research [CNA, 25 September] http://goo.gl/WGKEx
• US ban on human embryo patents draws praise [CNA, 24 September] http://goo.gl/ZbXwc
• Divorced Argentine woman wins embryo custody [Wales Online, 24 September] http://goo.gl/pFJc8
• BBC hypes up embryonic stem cell trial [Peter Saunders, 22 September] http://goo.gl/qqjOz

Population

• Victims of China's one-child policy testify before US Congress [CathNews Philippines, 25 September] http://goo.gl/wvsie

Sexual ethics

• Primary schools in England forced by local authorities to teach sex education [Telegraph, 26 September] http://goo.gl/oSD9R
• More youngsters having sex without contraception, claims global study [Reuters, 26 September] http://goo.gl/WHG6g

General

• Canadian Catholic priest suspended following outspoken pro-life/pro-family sermons [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 September] http://goo.gl/R4LPx

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 6 Sep

Top stories:

Abortion counselling debate now due Wednesday afternoon
Further to our alert last Thursday, it has been announced this afternoon that the House of Commons debate on the Dorries-Field abortion counselling amendment is now due to take place this Wednesday (7 September) afternoon. Please read our updated briefing on the Dorries-Field amendment. Also, in response to the government's rejection late last week of the Dorries-Field amendment, Louise Mensch, a Conservative party MP, has tabled her own amendment on abortion counselling. The Mensch amendment raises even more serious concerns than the Dorries-Field amendment. Please read SPUC’s briefing on the Mensch amendment. Please share SPUC's concerns about the Dorries-Field and Mensch amendments with your MP and ask him/her to raise them in debate this week, and subsequently in any debate or consultation if regulations are brought forward.

House of Lords committee calls for compulsory school sex ed
The House of Lords Select Committee on HIV and AIDS has called for the teaching of sex and relationships education (SRE) to be made compulsory in schools. The committee claims that SRE is essential for reducing the incidence of sexually-transmitted diseases. The government is conducting a consultation on the matter. [Children & Young People Now, 2 September] http://bit.ly/nBgZ0l SRE often includes explicit depictions of sexual activity and promotes abortion and contraception.

English couple defend decision to abort disabled son
An English couple have defended their decision to abort their son who was diagnosed with disabilities. Georgina Pearson and Zak Turgoose said they would live with the choice for the rest of their lives. A spokesman for SPUC said: "A life is a life. Disabled children can still find joy in life. Life is precious. When parents face difficult decisions, they need some sound advice. We encourage them to contact us." [This is Derbyshire, 3 September] http://bit.ly/r2fW2K

Other stories:

Embryology

• EU clears adult stem cell trial for broken hearts [Reuters, 5 September] http://bit.ly/r4fxHk

Population

• Philippines archbishop says Catholic stand against population control bill is non-negotiable [CathNews Philippines, 6 September] http://bit.ly/n7iSDT

General

• US football players (pictured) save pregnant woman by flipping burning truck [Rivals High, 1 September] http://bit.ly/pkOhDF

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 23 Aug

HSH Prince Alois of Liechtenstein

Top stories:

Young British Christian adults much more concerned about pro-life issues than elderly Christians
Young British Christians are much more concerned about pro-life issues than elderly Christians, suggests a new poll. Two out of three Christians aged 18-34 surveyed said abortion and euthanasia were very important issues, compared to one in three Christians aged over 65. [Inspire Magazine, 23 August] http://bit.ly/qywnp8 John Smeaton, SPUC director, commented: "This is encouraging news for the defence of the sanctity of human life. It shows that the pro-life movement has a promising future."

English coroners turning a blind eye to assisted suicide, claims report
Coroners in England are turning a blind eye to suspected cases of assisted suicide, claims a new report. Two coroners (one retired) interviewed by Demos, a think-tank, said they avoided looking too closely into such cases in order to spare families problems. [Telegraph, 23 August] http://tgr.ph/rdagXW Demos is hosting a fake commission into assisted suicide on behalf of the euthanasia lobby.

UK IVF lottery suspended pending watchdog review
A lottery in which couples can win IVF treatment has been suspended pending a review by the Charity Commission. Entrants paid £20 for a ticket to win £25,000 worth of treatment. [Express, 21 August] http://bit.ly/pBHNTG SPUC's Anthony McCarthy has criticised the lottery as trivialising human life and procreation.

Other stories:

Abortion

• Watch this powerful pro-life film just released on YouTube [John Smeaton, 22 August] http://bit.ly/rl7MCt
• UK woman who had abortion following demotion wins compensation [Express, 19 August] http://bit.ly/qYTf0n
• Regent of Liechtenstein (pictured) opposes bill to liberalise abortion law [LifeSiteNews.com, 18 August] http://bit.ly/q2ADDv

Embryology

• More Singaporeans going abroad for IVF to choose baby's gender [Center for Genetics and Society, 22 August] http://bit.ly/pCwrBi
• Read Anthony Ozimic's introduction to stem cell research [John Smeaton, 21 August] http://bit.ly/mTuybR

Population

• Writer on prominent US blog hopes for plague to reduce world population [LifeSiteNews.com, 22 August] http://bit.ly/rtJVvC
• US vice-president's comments on China's one-child policy criticised by pro-life experts [LifeNews.com, 22 August] http://bit.ly/q60pgB

General

• Documentary shows pro-life struggle in the Philippines [CathNews, 23 August] http://bit.ly/pmYuVd

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Wed 3 Aug

Families in the Horn of Africa

Top stories:

Good news for Irish culture of life as David Norris leaves presidential race
David Norris, the anti-life Irish senator, has announced that he has dropped out of the race for the Irish presidency. Mr Norris, who is also a high-profile homosexual, left the race following controversy about his attitude to child sex abuse. John Smeaton, SPUC director said that Mr Norris's withdrawal was "good news for the culture of life in Ireland, given [Mr Norris's] flippant, discriminatory views against the humanity of unborn children." [John Smeaton, 2 August] http://bit.ly/rowxbr

UK Christian doctor debunks latest poll commissioned by euthanasia lobby
A leading UK Christian doctor has debunked the latest poll commissioned by the UK's euthanasia lobby. The poll suggested that two-thirds of Britons support assisted suicide for the terminally-ill but only one-third supports assisted suicide for disabled people. Peter Saunders, head of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said that the poll failed to take into account the overlap between terminally-ill people and disabled people. He also said that the euthanasia lobby has failed to define 'terminally-ill' and 'disabled' convincingly. [Peter Saunders, 2 August] http://bit.ly/oFTvbY

UNFPA exploiting Horn of Africa famine to push population control
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which bankrolls population control internationally, is exploiting the famine in the Horn of Africa (pictured) to promote so-called 'family planning'. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA's executive director, said that "we need to...work with member states to ensure women and particularly young girls have access to education, including sexual education, and access to health services and reproductive health services including family planning." [Reuters, 2 August] http://reut.rs/nuocyQ Anthony Ozimic of SPUC commented: "So-called 'sexual education', 'reproductive health services' and 'family planning' are UNFPA's code-words for contraception, abortion and population control. UNFPA's main interest is preventing the poor from being born, not saving their lives."

Other stories:

Abortion

• Amnesty International asks Nicaragua to allow abortion [LifeSiteNews.com, 1 August] http://bit.ly/pO9Jph

Embryology

• London mother fights to know identity of IVF son's father [Evening Standard, 2 August] http://bit.ly/pTIfKn
• Profiles of 3 London sperm donors [Evening Standard, 2 August] http://bit.ly/mX20LG
• Japanese researchers grow mice teeth from adult stem cells [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 August] http://bit.ly/ncQ5EP

Euthanasia

• US Catholic bishop says gauging ‘quality of life’ an excuse to ‘pull up the hearse’ [LifeSiteNews.com, 29 July] http://bit.ly/obavs4

Population

• Indian pro-life groups opposing government push for male sterilisation [CathNews Philippines, 3 August] http://bit.ly/nefBuD
• North Carolina may compensate sterilisation victims [Reuters, 2 August] http://reut.rs/riq4Ai

Sexual ethics

• Colombia to legalise gay unions within 2 years [Pink Paper, 2 August] http://bit.ly/nxIlxZ
• 4,000 families threaten to leave Toronto Catholic schools over gay equity policy [LifeSiteNews.com, 29 July] http://bit.ly/pV4NaZ

General

• Students could pay off debts by donating kidneys, says UK academic [Telegraph, 2 August] http://tgr.ph/nG5Uf9

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Today's must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 2 Aug

SPUC's Dr Thomas Ward

8,000 pro-lifers rally against Philippines population control bill
8,000 Catholic pro-lifers have attended a rally against the government's population control bill. The clergy and laity of Pagadian diocese, with members of the Human Life International (HLI) Pilipinas, marched through the centre of Pagadian city. [CathNews Philippines, 1 August] http://bit.ly/ozscKc The rally is the latest of many large-scale rallies against the bill across the country.

Indian state offers incentives to discourage sex-selection abortion
Jharkhand state in eastern India is offering financial support to parents of female children in a bid to discourage sex-selection abortion. The incentives include free education and investments. There are a number of religious, cultural and socio-economic factors in India contributing to a prejudice against conceiving girls. [Catholic Culture, 1 August] http://bit.ly/pzwjQV

Obama admin will force insurance coverage of morning-after pills
US President Obama's administration has accepted a recommendation to force health insurance companies to cover morning-after pills. The move is part of Mr Obama's healthcare plans. Jeanne Monahan, director of Family Research Council’s Center for Human Dignity, said: “The mandate will include FDA-approved drugs like Ella and Plan B that are misleadingly labeled ‘emergency contraceptives’ despite the fact that they can actually destroy a developing baby prior to or after implanting in the mother’s womb." [LifeNews.com, 1 August] http://bit.ly/r7A9Cq

Other stories:

Sexual ethics

• Irish presidential campaign of gay candidate in trouble over sex abuse issue [Pat Buckley, 1 August] http://bit.ly/nqx2Uq

General

• Speech by SPUC's Dr Thomas Ward to Moscow Demographic Summit [Pat Buckley, 29 July] http://bit.ly/ooPrel

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This evening's must-read pro-life news-stories, Tuesday 12 July

actress Gabriella Seo Hyun-jin with Cardinal Cheong

Abortion

• MP tells SPUC meeting: Sanctity of life probably most important aspect of Christianity [John Smeaton, 12 July] http://bit.ly/rev276
• US state approves birth certificates for stillborn babies [LifeNews.com, 12 July] http://bit.ly/rkxMZw
• Planned Parenthood cuts contraception, not abortion after de-funding [LifeNews.com, 12 July] http://bit.ly/q2ZWzu
• Another report on London pro-life outreach in south London [Apostolate of the Laity, 11 July] http://bit.ly/q0YtfM
• Canadian pregnancy centre hit by pro-abortion vandals again [LifeNews.com, 11 July] http://bit.ly/pYzJXK
• Senior cardinal tells pro-abortion politicians that law against murder is "Divine law, not a tennis club regulation" [LifeSiteNews.com, 11 July] http://bit.ly/ruNF2S

Euthanasia

• Popular Korean actress to help combat teen suicide [CathNews Philippines, 12 July] http://bit.ly/oywo94
• Possible breakthrough in diagnosis and treatment of severely brain-damaged patients [Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, 11 July] http://bit.ly/mS5rMo
• New Zealand prime minister blasted for supporting euthanasia [LifeNews.com,11 July] http://bit.ly/oRhql9

Sexual ethics

• UK's Equality and Human Rights Commission says calls for greater tolerance of Christian moral beliefs [Daily Mail, 12 July] http://bit.ly/pT46X9
• US House passes amendment blocking gay weddings from naval bases [EWTN, 12 July] http://bit.ly/nM8BYv
• Obama says his administration is most pro-gay ever [LifeSiteNews.com, 12 July] http://bit.ly/n7EC5Y
• Australian Senate overwhelmingly rejects same-sex marriage motion [LifeSiteNews.com, 11 July] http://bit.ly/oOk9y0

General

• Top UK children's modelling agency signs Down's Syndrome youngsters [Derby Telegraph, 12 July] http://bit.ly/ps08aH

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This morning's must-read pro-life news-stories, Thursday 30 June

SPUC's Peter Smith

Abortion

• Scottish youth faces jail for part in murder of ex-girlfriend over abortion [Herald, 30 June] http://bit.ly/mQS0Ym
• UK review wrong to downplay mental health impact of abortion says SPUC [SPUC, 29 June] http://bit.ly/lfMN24
• Trial begins of US man who charged with death of girlfriend who refused abortion [LifeNews.com, 29 June] http://bit.ly/mGBeHv
• Abortion rate in Scots teens hits one a day, says official stats [Express, 29 June] http://bit.ly/isJN9W
• President of Polish Catholic bishops' conference calls on Polish legislature to ban all abortions [LifeSiteNews.com, 29 June] http://bit.ly/kAQwHW
• Leading US author writes novel about so-called 'wrongful birth' lawsuit [Ciao, 29 June] http://bit.ly/k95wKM
• US billboard company refuses to pull black pro-life signs [Jill Stanek, 29 June] http://bit.ly/mLjFUt
• SPUC launches the Mayisha campaign for genuine maternal healthcare [John Smeaton, 28 June] http://bit.ly/l1i63S
• Council of Europe addressing sex-selection abortion problem [LifeNews.com, 28 June] http://bit.ly/mhcDzn
• Protesters demand end to abortions at Catholic-linked Barcelona hospital [LifeSiteNews.com, 28 June] http://bit.ly/loWm08
• All 3 Kansas abortion clinics failed new inspection regime [Kansas City Star, 28 June] http://bit.ly/lrq0bN
• US court affirms human life begins at conception [LifeNews.com, 28 June] http://bit.ly/jnt3bt

Embryology

• Donor gamete shortage mean UK couples going abroad for IVF [Scotsman, 30 June] http://bit.ly/jqHC5N
• European pro-life academics say stem cell patent case hinges on issue of embryo destruction [Nature, 29 June] http://bit.ly/mRxvMu

Euthanasia

• Swiss govt drops plan to curb assisted suicide [AP via Guardian, 29 June] http://bit.ly/iGIdea
• UK doctors' union confirms support for opt-out organ donation system [Wales Online, 29 June] http://bit.ly/kwngYJ
• Swedish intensive care nurses have doubts about method for establishing brain death [Alpha Galileo, 28 June] http://bit.ly/mKHGZN

Population

• Global recession putting women off pregnancy, suggests study [Daily Mail, 30 June] http://bit.ly/lfoPmo
• Father of population control movement supports sex-selective abortion, mass sterilization [LifeSiteNews.com, 28 June] http://bit.ly/jmDZb6

Sexual ethics

• Slight fall in Irish teen pregnancies, say official stats [Irish Times, 30 June] http://bit.ly/j4RYfm
• Fury over sex education for 8-year-olds in London schools [East London Advertister, 29 June] http://bit.ly/lSrful
• SPUC's Antonia Tully says parents are angry over inappropriate sex education [Premier Christian Radio, 29 June] http://bit.ly/kGwVAD
• Scottish civil servants banned from saying ‘homosexual’ [Pink News, 28 June] http://bit.ly/laEc0I
• Brazil judge approves gay marriage [Pink News, 28 June] http://bit.ly/lpYUPD
• Canadian Anglicans leave historic church over gay marriage approval [National Post, 27 June] http://bit.ly/jNP9Qi

General

• Philippines bishop calls for people to fight evil forces that seek to destroy family and life [CathNews Philippines, 30 June] http://bit.ly/ldGs4b
• Childless French couple adopt gorilla [BBC, 29 June] http://bbc.in/m3lqjn
• Video interview with Peter Smith (pictured) of SPUC Evangelicals [YouTube, 28 June] http://bit.ly/lmJVNY
• Brain-dead woman gives birth to baby boy in Saudi Arabia [Gulf News, 27 June] http://bit.ly/iNLQbZ

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