Wednesday 23 January 2008

England's grim culture of death

Yesterday was the 35th anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade judgement of the United States supreme court, which legalised the murder of the unborn in America. In England we anticipated this by nearly five years in 1967, in David Steele's Abortion Act, that was brought in by complete stealth.

Forty years on we now have abortion on demand with well over a million unborn infants slaughtered. In the same district where I live is the Calthorpe Clinic, one of the biggest abortuaries in Europe with over 25,000 abortions per year, and the number steadily increases, having its main peaks over Christmas and the new year. Alas unlike the United States the abortion rates are increasing, not falling.

One thing that struck me about US pro - life movement when I visited there was how bold, militant and outspoken it was compared with England. I couldn't help thinking how it would get into serious trouble if it acted here. To hold strong pro - life views here can gravely compromise one's career prospects, particularly in the medical profession, the civil service and the universities. It carries a social stigma that has caused the majority of the population to look away and compromise, while the media portray the pro - lifers as 'fanatics' and 'religious fundamentalists'.

The 'pro - choice' movement is not merely a powerful lobby. It has now become the establishment: it has cornered the media, the greater part of the senior medical profession, education, the civil service and government elites. Having achieved power, it is actively tries to silence the pro - life movement if necessary by force of law. It now is a criminal offence to distribute pictures of aborted babies, and some who have had the courage to do so have landed in prison, and it will only be a matter of time before the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children could be stripped of charitable status.

Up to now MP’s were given a free vote on abortion, euthanasia, cloning and embryo experimentation bills in parliament. Now that right has been taken away, and those who refuse to tow the party line face severe recriminations. We can only look forward to another raft of anti - life legislation steamrollered through parliament, and in particular sex education being forced on children at primary school level.

Is this a cause for despair? No: we must not give up and lose hope. What is now happening is that in the fight for lives of the innocent, the gloves are coming off. It is ceasing to be a matter of merely parliamentary debate and lobbying. It is now one which is turning into open and deliberate persecution, in which we must be ready to lose our jobs, forfeit our social status, and go to prison. The time is coming for courageous and brave witness, and it will be by this that we shall win the battle against the culture of death, which has made England the abortion centre of the world.

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall be my servant also; if anyone serves me, the Father will honour him. (John 12: 25-26, RSV translation)























Our Lady in Expectation, pray for us.


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