The leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has made a strong appeal to Catholics there to write to their MPs about the “profound questions of human life and dignity” posed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.In a pastoral letter which is being distributed in all the churches of England and Wales, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor alerts the public to the bill which has completed its passage through the House of Lords and will be debated in the House of Commons in the coming weeks.
“It extends the scope of scientific research on human embryos and allows the creation of animal and human hybrid embryos for research. It removes a provision to have regards for the child’s need for a father when IVF methods are used. Attempts to liberalise the abortion law further are also expected,” he writes.
Many people of all faiths and none are deeply concerned by the moral questions raised by this Bill, he says.
“These concerns were set out in Parish briefings sent to every parish from the Bishops’ Conference to all our parishes over the last few weeks. Now is the time for our voices to be heard. This needs as many people as possible to write to - and better still – to go and see their MP and to register their deep concern about this Bill.
“Please urge your MP to support amendments to the Bill which would limit embryo research, recognize the need for children to have knowledge of their biological father, and which would reduce rather than increase the numbers of abortions. MPs should also request and be granted a free vote on those parts of this Bill which deals with fundamental issues of personal conscience.”
The cardinal ends, reminding Catholics that Christian witness “can never just be personal but involves us too as citizens committed to serving the common good of society and to upholding the human dignity of all.”
Meanwhile in Luxembourg, late on Tuesday, a small majority voted to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide.
In a closely contested vote, 30 parliamentarians supported the bill, with 26 voting against it and 3 abstentions.
The bill had been introduced by Green party lawmaker Jean Huss and Socialist colleague Lydie Err; the Social Christian Party, led by Prime Minister Claude Juncker, opposed the measure.
If the legislation is enacted, which will require a further vote, Luxembourg will become the third European country to allow legal euthanasia, following the Netherlands and Belgium.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce