|
Abortion has solved nothing, only inflicted deeper wounds on society Says Pope Benedict 16th
Pope Benedict XVI meeting with the Italian Movement for Life led by Carlo Casini monday 12th May told the pro-lifers that 30 years of abortion in Italy, "Contrary to the assertions of those who have promoted abortion, it has not resolved the problems afflicting many women and no small number of families, but it has opened another wound in our societies". Pope Benedict continued "We cannot but recognize that, in practical terms, defending human life has become more difficult today, because a mentality has been created that progressively devalues human life and entrusts it to the judgment of individuals." The consequence of this thinking is a decrease in respect for the human person, "a value that lies at the foundation of any form of civil coexistence, over and above the faith a person may profess," the Pontiff said. "It is necessary to bear concrete witness to the fact that respect for life is the first form of justice that must be applied. For those who have the gift of faith this becomes an imperative that cannot be deferred. [...] Only God is the Lord of life. Each human being is known, loved, wanted and guided by Him and each has his origins in God's creative plan." |
|
Rome Conference on Fertility Care to mark 40th Anniversary of Humanae Vitae
FertilityCare and NaProTechnology have announced that a conference will be held in Rome in June to mark the 40th anniversary of the Pope Paul VI encyclical, Humanae Vitae which inspired Dr. Thomas Hilgers to research the area of natural family planning. This led to the development of FertilityCare and NaProTechnology which offers tremendous new insights into evaluating and treating gynaecologic ill-health, including infertility and recurrent miscarriage. The conference also marks the 30th anniversary of Creighton University school of medicine's support for education in FertilityCare and NaProTechnology
The conference will consist of a series of events in Rome between 7th and 14th June culminating the main conference of the American Academy of Fertility Care Professionals (AAFCP) meeting in Rome, from Wed 11th - Sat - 14th June 2008. contact Dr. Phil Boyle, Director FertilityCare Centres of Europe e-mail Phil@fertilitycare.ie tel.+35391720055
| |
| Greetings!
We report this week on the criticism of Ireland by Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg for failing to legislate for abortion. We also call for his resignation for his failure to discern the difference between real human rights and so called 'politically correct' ideologies
We also report on recent speeches by Pope Benedict XVI on the sancity of life and on some of the events arranged to mark the 40th anniversary of the Pope Paul VI Encyclical Humanae Vitae which was published on July 25, 1968.
Pope Benedict XVI in a recent speech recalled the controversy that surrounded Humanae Vitae as it upheld the tradition and doctrine of the Church regarding the use of artificial birth control | |
Call for Resignation of Council of Europe Commissioner Hammarberg
Following the recent decision of the Council of Europe (COE) that declared abortion to be a human right, Commissioner Hammarberg released a report on his recent visit to Ireland in which he criticises Ireland for failing to legislate for abortion and also for failing to adequately protect children under state care. In his report Hammarberg says that "children in Ireland are generally defined as all persons below the age of 18" and that this is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). He is wrong, the drafters of the CRC avoided the arguments about personhood and declared in Article 1 of the Convention "[...] a child means every human being below the age of 18 years (not all persons). This is the broadest possible description and clearly includes the unborn even if anyone tries to deny the fact that they too are persons. His efforts to uphold children's rights would be more believable if they addressed the most important right, the right to life. It is deplorable that a Commissioner for human rights is either unaware of these nuances or deliberately chooses wording that supports politically correct ideologies. If he fails to see the contradiction in his pronouncements he does not deserve to remain in office. The Commissioner for human rights is called upon to be a watchdog of human rights particularly those of the most vulnerable. Condemning governments for failure to terminate the most vulnerable is not part of his brief. What this actually involves is the ability to discern between real human rights and bogus rights based on fashionable ideologies. Clearly Hammarberg lacks the necessary discernment to fulfil the important role of Commissioner and should resign now. The full report can be accessed using the following Url. The Commissioner - CommDH(2008)9 / 30 April 2008 |
Benedict XVI: "The truth expressed in 'Humanae Vitae' does not change,"
In preparation for the 40th anniversary of the Papal encyclical 'Humanae Vitae' a three day international congress was held by the Pontifical Lateran University from May 8th to May 10th." The conference entitled, "The loneliness of Paul VI and the weight of Tradition," was led by the director of L'Osservatore Romano Giovanni Maria Vian. The opening session which focused on the implementation of Vatican II amidst the trial of a changing culture was presented by Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Dr. Evelyn Billings, who together with her husband developed the Billings natural family planning method was among thos who presented a paper. The conference included an audience with Pope Benedict XVI who told participants that "the document soon became a sign of contradiction". Pope Benedict went on to affirm that "The truth expressed in 'Humanae Vitae' does not change," "Quite the contrary, in the light of new scientific discoveries its teaching becomes more relevant and stimulates reflection on the intrinsic values it possesses." In a defence of natural law Pope Benedict said" Natural law "deserves to be recognized as the source inspiring the relationship between a married couple in their responsibility to generate children. The transmission of life is inscribed in nature and its laws stand as an unwritten norm to which everyone must refer." Nascent life, the Pope continued, "is the fruit of a love capable of thinking and choosing in complete freedom, without allowing itself to be overly conditioned by the sacrifice this may require. From here emerges the miracle of life which parents experience in themselves as they sense the extraordinary nature of what is achieved in them and through them. No mechanical technique can substitute the act of love that husband and wife exchange as a sign of the greater mystery, in which they are protagonists and co-participants of creation." "Freedom must join with truth, and responsibility with strength of dedication to others, also through sacrifice," he affirmed. "Without these principles the community of man does not develop and there is a risk of being trapped in oppressive selfishness." | |
|
|
|
