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News Roundup

Diocese removes cathedral reader over abortion stance

27th May 2016

The Diocese of Cloyne has upheld a decision to remove a parishioner from the reading rota due to his pro-abortion views. Ken Curtin was removed from his role at Cobh Cathedral following his criticism of the Catholic Church’s stance on abortion during his electoral campaign as a member of the Social Democrats. Mr Curtin appealed the decision to Bishop of Cloyne William Crean, but was unsuccessful in lobbying to return as a reader.

States challenge transgender push in US

27th May 2016

Eleven US states have launched legal action against the Obama administration’s attempt to force schools to open toilets and changing facilities to transgender students. Following the mandate, which threatens federal funding for schools, the states accused the administration of overstepping its powers. States involved are Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said that “the Obama administration is trampling the United States Constitution”.

Three million sign defence of natural marriage petition

27th May 2016

Three million people in Romania have signed a petition calling on the government there to enshrine marriage between one man and one woman in the nation’s constitution. Organised by Christian churches and family groups, the petition states: “A family is established through the free-willed marriage between one man and one woman, and is based upon their equality and their right and their duty to provide for the raising, the education and the training of the children.” The three million signatures are six times the required number to compel legislators to debate the petition’s call.

Transgender teacher wins damages in ‘she’ harassment case

27th May 2016

A transgender schoolteacher in the US has been awarded $60,000 in damages for harassment after co-workers failed to use a preferred pronoun in social interactions. Oregon teacher Leo Soell, born a woman but who now self-identifies as neither male nor female alleged that staff’s continued use of “she”, “lady” and “Miss Soell” amounted to a campaign of harassment. Despite a district investigation which ruled out such a campaign against the teacher, Soell went on to sue the district and secured damages. As part of the settlement, district leaders agreed to build gender-neutral restrooms at all district schools within three years.

Abortion activists stage ‘arrest protest’ in Northern Ireland

25th May 2016

Three Derry women voluntarily handed themselves over to police after they imported abortion pills as part of an arranged protest against Northern Ireland’s abortion laws. The three, all members of the Alliance for Choice were cheered by supporters after they walked into a police station and admitted importing the pills for supply to women across the North. The trio have subsequently stated that they would supply to the Republic of Ireland too. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has confirmed it is investigating the matter.

Midwives chief insists ‘abortion never wrong’

25th May 2016

The head of Britain’s Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has said that abortion can never be viewed as wrong and rights for the unborn should hold no weight in the issue. Cathy Warwick made her comments after calls for her dismissal when it emerged she had attempted to link the RCM with a campaign to have abortion up to birth legalised. As well as her leadership of the RCM, Warwick is chair of BPAS, Britain’s largest abortion provider.

UNICEF presses Canada for euthanasia for children

25th May 2016

UNICEF has called on Canada to include euthanasia for children as part of its roll-out of assisted suicide legislation. Under UNICEF’s proposal, minors, including those who suffer non-terminal illnesses or disability, would be afforded the choice to end their lives. The call comes despite UNICEF’s stated claim that “there’s no limit to the lengths UNICEF will go, the risks we’ll take or the depth of our commitment to save children’s lives. We are committed to take action, save, rehabilitate and watch over children, with a special attention to the most vulnerable and excluded groups.”

Irish Bishops call for active participation in World Meeting of Families

24th May 2016

The Irish Bishops have called on families in Ireland to prepare for the World Meeting of Families in Dublin in 2018. Welcoming the announcement of ‘The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World’ as the theme for the event, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Primate of All Ireland, said on behalf of the Bishops: “It is my hope that families in every parish in the country will be able to participate in the preparation for the World Meeting, and that many families will take part in the various events being planned for late summer 2018. The World Meeting provides the perfect context for us to rediscover the vocation and mission of the family in the life of the Church and in Irish society… The World Meeting provides an opportunity to affirm their work and to inspire new initiatives to sustain the family as a source of joy, hope and cohesion in the Church and in society.”

Brothers to undergo transgender surgery together

24th May 2016

Two Irish brothers who identify as females have revealed plans to undergo reassignment surgery together. Now calling themselves Jamie and Chloe, the siblings announced themselves transgender in 2015. They have announced that they will soon be starting a course of oestrogen towards preparing themselves for surgery. Both claim they came out as gay when 14 and 13 respectively and have since concluded that they are in fact transgender.

Tusla removes child from ‘too old’ grandparents

24th May 2016

The child and family agency Tusla has taken a boy into foster care, having judged his grandparents too old to care for him. The action to remove the boy came despite testimonies from both the child’s doctor and school that his grandparents are capable of looking after him adequately. The grandparents at the centre of the case are in their 60s and have cared for the boy for four years. The grandfather has since appeared on RTE television to describe the trauma he and his wife have experienced since Tusla’s move. “We’re totally and utterly distressed over it because he was our pride and joy,” he said.