Abortion law review group is a sham says Bishop Keenan
The group set up to recommend changes to abortion laws principally consists of pro-decriminalisation campaigners
Recently, I’ve hoped that the trust Scots had in our parliament could recover from the doldrums in which it languishes. Last year’s Scottish Social Attitudes Survey found trust in the Scottish government at its lowest level since devolution, with less than half of us trusting it to act in our best interests. But discovering the identity of the members chosen by the government for its supposedly independent abortion law review expert working group, tasked with recommending possible changes to abortion laws, has dealt my hopes a blow.
Of 13 members, six are abortion providers or practitioners and 10 have already expressed a view in favour or represent organisations that support decriminalisation of abortion. None represent a pro-life constituency or organisation. In terms of membership alone, the “expert group” lacks both credibility and legitimacy.
Its terms of reference expect members to be “respectful of all views and opinions expressed within the group” and yet, before a ball is kicked, as it were, it has censored any contradictory views and opinions, of which there are many, questioning the current liberality of our abortion laws.
Right off the bat, the expert group has established a “non-regression principle”, ensuring that their discussions and advice to the government will countenance no reduction in time limits or grounds for abortion, no matter what evidence is presented. The norm in Europe is a 12-week limit and Britain’s 24 weeks is now beyond the stage of viability. Increasingly, babies born before 24 weeks will survive.
Solid medical consensus holds that a unique human life begins at conception and a decent constituency of Scottish citizens concurs with the Catholic Church that this human life merits some social respect and legal protection at some point in the womb. Many Scots raise an eyebrow at the description of abortion as healthcare, when that abortion sadly ends another human life with all its potential.
These reasonable positions merit a hearing in any expert group which the government has set up and on which it intends to depend. Yet the government has ensured that the group’s report will commend decriminalisation, effectively allowing the right to abortion for any reason up until birth. The set-up of this expert group will no doubt upset pro-lifers who already see it as a sham, but it will do more than that. It will be another nail in the coffin of the trust Scottish citizens once placed in government to treat them fairly, and of its claim to act with integrity.


Bishop John Keenan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paisley has condemned a “supposedly independent abortion law review” into Scotland’s abortion law for excluding all pro-life representation.

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https://www.ncronline.org/news/world-day-poor-report-shows-global-poverty-efforts-have-stalled


The new Fordham Francis Index reveals gaps in basic needs and fundamental freedoms for millions worldwide. The report was released on Nov. 15, to coincide with World Day of the Poor, celebrated Nov. 17.

This Sunday’s Gospel
We are in the part of Mark's gospel where we hear Jesus consoling his disciples about the trouble to come for them. Of course, this is really important for Mark's disciples - the first to read this gospel - for the troubles they are facing. And, it is really important for us, as we face the troubles of our time.

When Jesus said that no one knows when the end of time would be, he sure was right. For us today, while we might be deeply concerned about the growing critical condition of our planet, the real issue of our concern is about the end of our lives. Who among us hasn't had a relative or friend die recently. I'm most affected by it when the death involves someone who is younger than me - something that happens more and more frequently.

Every other trouble we face is some kind of mini-death, which is difficult to face. The common effect of these experiences is that they can shake us. They can disturb our confidence and upset our sense of security.

What Jesus wants to do for us today is what he did for his first disciples. He wants us to not let our hearts be troubled. Jesus knows he will be with us in the midst of everything. He wants us to have confidence that we are never alone. And, he wants us to trust that he has won the victory over sin and death - over every sin; over every death.

The way we can let our faith be deepened is to express our gratitude to our Lord at very times each day. We can thank the Lord for being with us - in whatever situation in which we might find ourselves. And, the more we place our trust in the promise of eternal life, the more fearless we can become. To be without fear is so empowering. It is so liberating. It can allow us to face any challenge - even death itself. Death is just a scarecrow. It isn't frightening for us at all. Therefore, we can be bold. We can be courageous. We can face great difficulties, knowing that we will fall into the hands of a loving Savior. This lack of fear, this freedom, makes selfless love so much easier. I don't have to "calculate" what this or that act of love will "cost" me. In fact, Jesus has assured us that the secret to happiness is that we will really find ourselves when we lose ourselves in love.

We can practice this faith - really exercise it and strengthen it, perhaps like a muscle we haven't used much - by simply practicing surrender. Not being so cautious becomes less scary and helps us to be more confident in loving. We can say, "Lord, I know that nothing can separate me from your care for me. Help me love this person with your own type of love, thinking less of myself, and more for the other person. Let me be bold and free."

Let us be confident before the trials and tribulations of our day, placing our lives in his hands.
Fr Andy Alexander SJ

It is our Cathedral patrons feast day. Happy St. Margaret's Day!

O God, who made St. Margaret of Scotland
wonderful in her outstanding charity towards the poor,
grant that through her intercession and example
we may reflect among all humanity
the image of your divine goodness.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
God, for ever and ever.