Ashers Baking Company, the Belfast business at the centre of a court action over having to bake a pro-same-sex marriage cake has launched its legal bid for an appeal to the ruling made against it last month. According to The Christian Institute, which has backed Ashers’ owners, the McArthur family, and fund-raised for their legal defence,...
The number of abortions taking place in US states is declining, in some states by as much as 30% since 2010. According to the Associated Press, which gained health records from 45 states, America has experienced an average 12% decline in abortions since 2010. Such states include Oregon, Washington and New York, where unrestricted access...
The Pro-Life Campaign (PLC) has criticised the United Nations for its questioning of Ireland’s legal protections for the unborn. Addressing a session of the UN’s Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, which convened in Geneva, Switzerland, to examine Ireland’s record on a broad range of social issues, including the current bar on abortion, Lorcan...
The beauty of marriage between a man and a woman is threatened by gender ideology, Pope Francis has warned. Speaking at the Vatican as he hosted the Bishops of Puerto Rico, the Pontiff explained that the complementarity of traditional marriage bonds is being undermined by gender ideology in the name of gaining a more just...
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that a French coma patient can be allowed to die. Vincent Lambert has been in a coma in a hospital in Reims for the past seven years following catastrophic injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. Members of his family, divided over the issue of withdrawing life support,...
A florist in the US state of Washington has launched a legal appeal against a gay marriage ruling which could see the financial ruin of her business. Baronelle Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers and Gifts, is attempting to challenge her convictions – in twin lawsuits – under anti-discrimination and consumer laws after her refusal to...
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is to hear its first ever case on surrogacy following an appeal by the Italian government. The case, which will have far-reaching consequences for member states of the Council of Europe, centres on an Italian couple who procured a child via a surrogate mother for a...
The Northern Ireland Assembly is unlikely to move on the issue of same-sex marriage despite a vote in favour by Belfast City Council. In a motion introduced by Emmet McDonough-Brown of the Alliance Party, the council supported a call for the introduction of same-sex marriage legislation by 38 votes to 13. The vote was opposed...
Any push to introduce same-sex marriage to Australia will be defeated, a leading senator has vowed. As Australia continues to debate the issue in the wake of Ireland’s recent Yes to gay marriage, government Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said resistance she had found both within her party and more broadly among Australian citizens gave her confidence...
Scotland’s parliament has rejected a move to legislate for assisted suicide by more than a two to one majority. Described as “poorly thought out” and “badly conceived” by critics, the Assisted Suicide Bill was defeated by 82 votes to 36 when placed before legislators at Holyrood for debate. Despite being mooted as a means by...
