Scottish Catholic Education Service | SCES

Promoting and supporting Catholic Education in Scotland

  • About SCES
    • Education Structures
    • Executive Board
    • Our Team
    • Who we work with
      • CHAPS
    • Latest News
    • SCES Newsletter
  • Award Schemes
    • Caritas Award
    • Pope Francis Faith Award
  • Catholic Education
    • Catholic Education Week
    • Catholic Schools
    • The Catholic School: Developing in Faith
    • 2018-Catholic Schools Good for Scotland
  • Parents
    • Catholic School Parents
    • Parent Council Contact
    • Pope Francis Loves Families
  • Religious Education
    • This Is Our Faith
    • COVID 19: R.E.& spiritual support
    • Religious Education S4 to S6
    • Planning Religious Education
    • Equality & Inclusion Learning and Teaching
    • R.E. Resources Weblinks
  • Resources
    • Useful pages on our site
    • Advent Learning
      • Advent Reflections
    • Articles of Faith
    • Daily Gospel Reflection
    • Health & Relationships Education
    • Equality & Inclusion Learning and Teaching
    • Latest resources
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Lent & Easter
    • Thinking Faith
    • Year of Mercy
  • Teaching
    • Becoming a teacher
      • Setting Out on the Road Course
    • Church Approval
    • Career Long Professional Learning
      • CLPL Events Calendar
    • Teaching Vacancies
  • Laudato Si Schools Scotland

Concerns over Westminster votes on Human Embryo Bill

  • Posted on 09/03/2008
  • By:
  • in SCES News
  • 0 Comment
  • Home
  • SCES News
  • Concerns over Westminster votes on

Concerns over Westminster votes on Human Embryo Bill

  • Posted on 09/03/2008
  • By: admin
  • in SCES News
  • 0 Comment

Catholic Ministers of Parliament could revolt against Labor Party leader Prime Minister Gordon Brown over a bill on embryo fertilization and research, the Telegraph reports.

The Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill will allow the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos containing both human and animal DNA and will loosen restrictions on in-vitro fertilization treatments for single women and homosexual couples.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Defense Secretary Des Browne and Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy are devout Catholics, who have threatened to resist the bill because of ethical and religious objections.  The Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor has criticized the bill and has called for “flexibility” in parliamentary deliberations.

Prime Minister Brown had considered permitting a free vote on the bill, which otherwise must be supported by all party members.  Brown decided such a move would anger other MPs who had previously stayed loyal to the government.

The opposition of such high-ranking Cabinet members has renewed the controversy.  A possible option is to allow Catholic legislators to abstain from the vote, though some Catholics have pressed for the liberty to vote against the bill or amend it to remove some measures.

According to The Telegraph, a government source said, “This is a vital Bill and the Prime Minister has taken a close interest.

“That means we have to get it through. But when you are talking about people’s religious beliefs, particularly among Cabinet ministers, then it creates problems.”

The Conservative Party leader David Cameron has allowed a free vote to his party’s Ministers of Parliament.

The recent promotion of Paul Murphy to Welsh Secretary has also heightened the controversy, as Murphy is considered the most devout Catholic in the Cabinet.  Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, has also been the focus of controversy. Kelly reportedly argued with the government last year over government mandates that Catholic adoption agencies place children with homosexual couples.

Mr. Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson believe the Bill to be vital in the search for cures for syndromes such as motor neuron disease and cystic fibrosis.

The Bill, which has already been delayed in an attempt to reach a compromise, will be voted on in the next two months.

Attached files

Developing Global Citizens and Catholic Social Teaching Chris Boles text.pdf (9.9 MB) 

Leave a Reply
Previous Post

First Minister celebrates Catholic education in Scotland

Next Post

Values can combat secularization, says Pope

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email is never published nor shared. Required fields are marked (Required)

(required)

(required)

Facebook Twitter
Top

Scottish Catholic Education Service | SCES ©2020 SCES All rights reserved. Design by Media Design

Login Here

I wish to make a donation

or
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More

WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin