Legislation which would oblige the US military to accomodate “actions and speech” reflecting the “conscience, moral principles, or religious beliefs of members of the armed services is being “strongly opposed” by the Obama Administration. Section 530 of the National Defence Authorisation Act ia an amendment introduced by Republican Representative John Fleming from Louisiana. In a...
A mayor from the town of Arcangues in the South West of France is facing up to five years in prison and fine of up to £63,000 for declining to carry out a same-sex marriage. Jean-Michel Colo, who has been mayor for 31 years, rejected a wedding application from two men and says he stands...
Fine Gael TDs are set to demand a free vote on abortion legislation from Enda Kenny to prevent a serious split in the party. Three of Mr Kenny’s TDs will almost definitely vote against the Protection of Life Bill, the Irish Independent reports. A further dozen members are still expressing strong concerns about the legislation,...
The Pro Life Campaign has welcomed the publication of the Health Service Executive (HSE) report into the death of Savita Halappanavar. The report, published yesterday found there was inadequate assessment and monitoring to pick up the deterioration in her condition, a failure to adhere to hospital guidelines for managing sepsis and a failure to offer...
Catholic hospitals will not be allowed to refuse to perform an abortion on conscientious grounds, Health Minister Dr James Reilly has said. “All institutions mentioned (in the Bill) are funded by the taxpayer. We could not have a situation where a service funded by the taxpayer could deprive a citizen of their rights,” he said....
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) criticised the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, published early this morning, for retaining a provision for terminations for suicidal women. Caroline Simons, legal advisor to the Pro-Life Campaign, said the “overwhelming weight of evidence” given by psychiatrists during the hearings on the Bill was that “this is not an...
The Pro Life Campaign (PLC) criticised the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, published early this morning, for retaining a provision for terminations for suicidal women. Caroline Simons, legal advisor to the Pro-Life Campaign, said the “overwhelming weight of evidence” given by psychiatrists during the hearings on the Bill was that “this is not an...
Local authorities are overly “suspicious” about faith groups, creating barriers to working with them on social projects, a report by MPs says. Gary Streeter MP, chair of Christians in Parliament, said: “there is an obsession about equality and political correctness that can hamper those doing the most to tackle inequality,” the Daily Telegraph reports. He blamed a...
The Government’s abortion legislation represents “a radical change” in Irish law by allowing for the first time “the deliberate and intentional killing of an unborn child” the Catholic bishops of Ireland. In a strongly worded statement, they also accused the Government of misleading voters with claims that they had to legalise abortion because of European...
President Barack Obama has dropped his administration’s legal challenges to a ruling which permits girls of any age accessing the controversial Plan B morning after pill over the counter and without a perscription. The Department of Justice will no longer appeal the ruling by Judge Edward Korman of the District Court of Eastern New York...
