Cardinal's SOR Statement

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor recently issued this statement regarding the on-going debate over Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR):

Noting the fact that the Sexual Orientation Regulations are being voted on in the House of Commons today (Monday 19th March, 2007), I again express our concern at their impact, not only on adoption services, but on cooperation between faith-based voluntary agencies and public authorities in public funded services.

It is, surely, an abuse of Parliamentary democracy that these Regulations are being considered by Parliament only through a hurriedly arranged and very brief meeting of 16 appointed MPs, and a short debate in the House of Lords. During the House of Commons Committee meeting opportunity for serious debate was denied.

Profound public concern about aspects of these Regulations has not been heard. The debate on Wednesday in the House of Lords, although important in itself, will hardly compensate for the lack of a full debate in the House of Commons. Our society’s understanding of the pattern of family life and of the role of conscience and religious belief in public life remains a very important part of the political agenda.

You can sign a petition asking for an exemption for Church adoption agencies at the 10 Downing Street site (nearly 3,000 signatures). And whilst you're at it, there is another petition against the Abortion Act, which all are encouraged to sign.

Pro-Life Hip-Hop

Now, I must confess that I prefer Handel to Hip-Hop, but I'm all for using contemporary methods to transmit the timeless truths of our Faith. A friend has just alerted me to two hip-hop artists who have dealt with abortion in their work. This will be old news to their devotees - and perhaps to many American readers - but I'm sure some this side of the Atlantic will be interested to listen to the songs at this website. One piece, performed by chart-topper Nick Cannon, is particularly powerful:

Based upon his own life story, the song is sung from the prospective of a baby about to be aborted by his mother. Nick Cannon has put together powerful imagery and impassioned lyrics that add voice to the unborn pleading in the womb. As you
listen and watch you can't help but cheer as Nick's mother comes off the abortionist's table and leaves the clinic, however the most moving part is when Nick's real mom joins him at the end of the video.

The website, by the way, is called Death Roe and is for all of us in Generations X and Y (yes, that DOES include me) who are, by virtue of our existence, survivors of abortion:

On January 22, 1973, the United States Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand. The decision is called Roe vs. Wade. We call it Death Roe. About one fourth of our generation has already been wiped out, and the executions continue at the rate of over 3000 a day. If you were born after that date, you are one of the unchosen.You are a Death Roe Survivor.

Repeal Vote

Just to quickly underline what Fr Tim and other blogs have been suggesting: BBC Radio 4's Today programme, which I normally listen to while dressing and shaving in the morning, has come up with a Christmas 'legislative wish list'. People are invited to send in nominations for one British law that should be repealed. It would be great if as many Catholics (and people of good will) as possible could nominate the Abortion Act of 1967, even though there's a good chance the panel of experts and politicians won't include it in the shortlist. It's worth a try - nominations can be sent off via the Radio 4 Christmas Repeal Vote page but must be completed by 20 December. It would be a good work of witness in the final week of Advent.

SPUC and the United Nations

The UN has just issued a study on violence against children. A good thing, you might think, until you realise that there is one not so little omission - the fact that millions of children are denied the right to life every year through abortion.

SPUC is urging the UN to represent the rights of unborn children and to introduce a global ban on abortion. You might like to visit the Amnesty for Babies campaign site and sign the petition.