Bishops urge ScotGov to respect right to life of the unborn

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to respect the right to life of the unborn child in a submission to the Scottish Government’s Abortion Law Review Expert Working Group, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

The working group has been set up by the Scottish Government to review the current law on abortion and to provide Scottish ministers with recommendations on whether or not aspects of the existing law should be changed.

The bishops’ submission, which you can read in full here continues to affirm the right to life of every human person from conception.

It argues that we have a “collective duty” to “uphold the right to life and to ensure that both mother and child are accepted and loved by a caring, compassionate society.”

The bishops also lament the prevailing anti-life culture which “declares it acceptable to destroy innocent human life in the womb” and says say that it “does not belong to public authorities to recognise the right to life for some, but not for others.”

The bishops, who have also brought into question the legitimacy of the working group which is composed substantially of pro-abortion supporters and has no prolife members, and which has already enshrined a ‘non-regression principle’ to ensure no progress will be countenanced on prolife matters, no matter what evidence comes forward.

Buffer Zone law comes into force in Scotland

A new law which makes it illegal to pray in parts of Scotland is now in force, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 establishes zones around hospitals and other facilities where abortions are carried out, currently there are 30.

The zones are comprised of the hospital or clinic, the public area of any grounds of the hospital or clinic, and any public areas within 200m of the boundary of the ground.

The law

The law prohibits conduct which seeks to influence the decision of a person regarding accessing, providing, or facilitating abortion services, or which prevents or impedes a person from accessing, providing or facilitating abortion services.

This will mean that women experiencing a crisis pregnancy may be denied the opportunity to freely speak to people and organisations who may be able to help them.

The new law also criminalises causing harassment, alarm or distress to a person accessing abortion services.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has repeatedly condemned all harassment and intimidation of people, including those attending hospitals and other medical facilities.

The Conference has also pointed out that laws are already in place to protect people from such unacceptable behaviour, and it is significant that, in written evidence to the Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Police Scotland stated that “existing powers and offences are sufficient to address any unlawful behaviour in the vicinity of health care premises.”

Disproportionate

The disproportionate law will have a devastating impact on human rights, including the right to free expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Most alarmingly, official documentation accompanying the legislation admits that the proposed new law anticipates criminalising ‘praying audibly’ and ‘silent vigils’.

It is deeply troubling that so many MSPs are so supportive of a law which will make it illegal to pray in certain parts of the country, in an unprecedented example of state overreach.

Only one MSP, John Mason, the member for Glasgow Shettleston, voted against the proposals.

The law will also prohibit certain conduct within private homes, churches and schools situated within the designated zone.

For example, placing a pro-life poster in the window of a private home which happens which is within the zone could be considered criminal behaviour.

When asked about the possibility of having to police people’s thoughts, including whether they were silently praying, Superintendent Gerry Corrigan told the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee that policing thought is an area “we would stay clear of”, later adding “I do not think we could go down the road of asking people what they are thinking or what their thoughts are. That feels really uncomfortable.”

People have already been arrested for praying silently in England and, with the new law, this may now happen in Scotland.

Some MSPs did raise concerns about the threat to silent prayer and a few suggested helpful amendments to the Bill, including a reasonableness defence and a specific exemption for chaplains who may be caught by the law and criminalised for having conversations about abortion. However, these were either withdrawn or voted down by the Parliament.

Chilling Day

Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and spokesperson for the Bishops’ Conference on life issues said:

“This is a chilling day for fundamental freedoms, including our basic right as citizens in Scotland to manifest our beliefs in public, religious or otherwise.

“None of the arguments made were able to get around the basic premise that Police Scotland had never asked for more powers and even told the Parliament they were “really uncomfortable” with the bewildering suggestion of having to police people’s thoughts under the new law.

“The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland condemns all harassment and intimidation of people but continues to note the poor case made that this sort of behaviour was in any way the ethos of Scottish vigils, and endorses the view of Police Scotland, that there are already ample laws in place to deal with such behaviour.

"This law is certainly unnecessary in terms of public order and will disproportionately affect citizens of faith.”

Bishop Keenan added: “While we commend the one MSP who was prepared to recognise and call out the injustice of this draconian law which now criminalises citizen’s thoughts and makes it illegal to pray in certain parts of the country, it is concerning that there was only one.”

Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcing the new law. If an individual or individuals are deemed to be in breach of the law, they could be fined up to £10,000 under summary procedure or to an unlimited amount under solemn procedure.

Scottish Parliament votes to criminalise peaceful prayer vigils

MSPs have voted to criminalise pro-life vigils around hospitals and clinics where abortions are performed.

Despite repeated warnings from the Catholic Parliamentary Office and other pro-life organisations about the negative impact on fundamental rights, including the freedom to pray, 118 MSPs voted in favour of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, with just one MSP, John Mason, voting against.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has repeatedly condemned all harassment and intimidation of people, including those attending hospitals and other medical facilities.

 


The Conference has also pointed out that laws are already in place to protect people from such unacceptable behaviour.

It is significant that, in written evidence to the Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, Police Scotland stated that “existing powers and offences (whether statutory or common law) are sufficient to address any unlawful behaviour in the vicinity of health care premises.”

Some MSPs did raise concerns about the threat to silent prayer and a few suggested helpful amendments to the Bill, including a reasonableness defence and a specific exemption for chaplains who may be caught by the law and criminalised for having conversations about abortion.

However, these were either withdrawn or voted down by the Parliament.

Chilling

Despite Police Scotland raising significant concerns about policing silent prayer the Parliament has pressed ahead with this chilling law.

When asked about the possibility of having to police people’s thoughts, including whether they were silently praying, Superintendent Gerry Corrigan told the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee that policing thought is an area “we would stay clear of”, later adding “I do not think we could go down the road of asking people what they are thinking or what their thoughts are. That feels really uncomfortable.”

People have already been arrested for praying silently in England and, with the passing of this Bill, this may now happen in Scotland.

Furthermore, the Bill gives the government extensive powers to extend restrictions to other buildings or places where “treatments or services relating to abortion services are provided” as protected premises.

This may in time include GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and pharmacies, resulting in potentially hundreds of zones being set up around the country.

It is troubling that the law could also apply to the actions of a person inside their own home and apply to other buildings including churches and schools within the designated zone. For example, placing a pro-life poster in the window of a private home could be considered criminal behaviour.

Below is a list of how MSPs voted on the Bill. Please note that some MSPs were not present for the vote.

Against the Bill;

Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)

For the Bill

Adam, George (Paisley) (SNP)

Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)

Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)

Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)

Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire South) (SNP)

Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)

Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)

Beattie, Colin (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)

Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)

Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab)

Briggs, Miles (Lothian) (Con)

Brown, Keith (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)

Brown, Siobhian (Ayr) (SNP)

Burgess, Ariane (Highlands and Islands) (Green)

Burnett, Alexander (Aberdeenshire West) (Con)

Carlaw, Jackson (Eastwood) (Con)

Carson, Finlay (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)

Chapman, Maggie (North East Scotland) (Green)

Choudhury, Foysol (Lothian) (Lab)

Clark, Katy (West Scotland) (Lab)

Coffey, Willie (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (SNP)

Cole-Hamilton, Alex (Edinburgh Western) (LD)

Constance, Angela (Almond Valley) (SNP)

Dey, Graeme (Angus South) (SNP)

Don, Natalie (Renfrewshire North and West) (SNP)

Doris, Bob (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (SNP)

Dornan, James (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)

Dowey, Sharon (South Scotland) (Con)

Dunbar, Jackie (Aberdeen Donside) (SNP)

Duncan-Glancy, Pam (Glasgow) (Lab)

Eagle, Tim (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Ewing, Annabelle (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)

Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)

Fairlie, Jim (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)

Findlay, Russell (West Scotland) (Con)

FitzPatrick, Joe (Dundee City West) (SNP)

Forbes, Kate (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP)

Gallacher, Meghan (Central Scotland) (Con)

Gibson, Kenneth (Cunninghame North) (SNP)

Gilruth, Jenny (Mid Fife and Glenrothes) (SNP)

Golden, Maurice (North East Scotland) (Con)

Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con)

Grahame, Christine (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)

Grant, Rhoda (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)

Gray, Neil (Airdrie and Shotts) (SNP)

Greene, Jamie (West Scotland) (Con)

Greer, Ross (West Scotland) (Green)

Griffin, Mark (Central Scotland) (Lab)

Gulhane, Sandesh (Glasgow) (Con)

Hamilton, Rachael (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)

Harper, Emma (South Scotland) (SNP)

Harvie, Patrick (Glasgow) (Green)

Haughey, Clare (Rutherglen) (SNP)

Hepburn, Jamie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (SNP)

Hoy, Craig (South Scotland) (Con)

Hyslop, Fiona (Linlithgow) (SNP)

Johnson, Daniel (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)

Halcro Johnston, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Kerr, Liam (North East Scotland) (Con)

Kidd, Bill (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)

Lennon, Monica (Central Scotland) (Lab)

Leonard, Richard (Central Scotland) (Lab)

MacDonald, Gordon (Edinburgh Pentlands) (SNP)

MacGregor, Fulton (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)

Mackay, Gillian (Central Scotland) (Green)

Mackay, Rona (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)

Macpherson, Ben (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (SNP)

Maguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP)

Marra, Michael (North East Scotland) (Lab)

Martin, Gillian (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP)

McAllan, Màiri (Clydesdale) (SNP)

McArthur, Liam (Orkney Islands) (LD)

McCall, Roz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

McKee, Ivan (Glasgow Provan) (SNP)

McKelvie, Christina (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)

McLennan, Paul (East Lothian) (SNP)

McMillan, Stuart (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)

McNair, Marie (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)

McNeill, Pauline (Glasgow) (Lab)

Minto, Jenni (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)

Mochan, Carol (South Scotland) (Lab)

Mountain, Edward (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Mundell, Oliver (Dumfriesshire) (Con)

Nicoll, Audrey (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)

O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland) (Lab)

Regan, Ash (Edinburgh Eastern) (Alba)

Rennie, Willie (North East Fife) (LD)

Robertson, Angus (Edinburgh Central) (SNP)

Robison, Shona (Dundee City East) (SNP)

Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)

Ross, Douglas (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

Rowley, Alex (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)

Ruskell, Mark (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)

Sarwar, Anas (Glasgow) (Lab)

Simpson, Graham (Central Scotland) (Con)

Slater, Lorna (Lothian) (Green)

Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

Smyth, Colin (South Scotland) (Lab)

Somerville, Shirley-Anne (Dunfermline) (SNP)

Stevenson, Collette (East Kilbride) (SNP)

Stewart, Alexander (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

Stewart, Kaukab (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)

Stewart, Kevin (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)

Sturgeon, Nicola (Glasgow Southside) (SNP)

Sweeney, Paul (Glasgow) (Lab)

Swinney, John (Perthshire North) (SNP)

Thomson, Michelle (Falkirk East) (SNP)

Todd, Maree (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)

Torrance, David (Kirkcaldy) (SNP)

Tweed, Evelyn (Stirling) (SNP)

Villalba, Mercedes (North East Scotland) (Lab) [Proxy vote cast by Richard Leonard]

Wells, Annie (Glasgow) (Con)

White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con)

Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab)

Whitham, Elena (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP)

Whittle, Brian (South Scotland) (Con)

Wishart, Beatrice (Shetland Islands) (LD)

Yousaf, Humza (Glasgow Pollok) (SNP)

This article is from the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office.

WATCH: Pro-Life Reflection from Sr Roseann Reddy

Sr Roseann Reddy, of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life (Glasgow) reflects on walking the Way of the Cross with the Lord and reaching out and helping those who are suffering from the effects of abortion.

This reflection was part of our weekly Lent Stations of the Cross. Join us online each week at 7:45pm. Register at bit.ly/lentstations

Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘sledgehammer to civil liberties’

Earlier this week the Daily Record covered the debate set to take place among MSPs on whether to have 'Buffer Zones' around abortion clinics, writes Peter Kearney, of the Scottish Catholic Media Office.

A Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian MacKay would criminalise any action aimed at persuading someone not to access abortion or to consider an alternative, within 200 metres of premises carrying out abortions.

It would become illegal, to:

The Bill takes a sledgehammer to free speech and demolishes many other civil liberties, including freedom of expression, assembly, thought, conscience and religion.

It could create for the first time in Scottish legal history, a thought crime. You would just need to think negatively about the actions of others to fall foul of the law.

With so much at stake, it’s probably worth asking: what exactly is the problem this terrible Bill is trying to solve?

Well, you might be surprised to learn that no one has ever been arrested outside an abortion facility in Scotland, for breach of the peace, harassment or intimidation.

Police Scotland have stated explicitly that “existing powers and offences are sufficient to address any unlawful behaviour which may arise in the vicinity of a health care premises as a result of such protest.”

They add: “Our engagement with participants...has not resulted in any criminality being identified.”

As the Record’s powerful pictures showed this week, a group of pensioners saying prayers on the pavement isn’t exactly threatening.

Sledgehammer

Since the cops are clear; no crimes are being committed and no new laws are needed, the Bill looks a lot like a sledgehammer being wielded against an invisible nut.

Peaceful protest used to be a cornerstone of our democracy.

Silent vigils have always been seen as harmless and unthreatening.

If we crush that concept now, where will it end?

Silent Peace vigils outside the Trident nuclear base at Faslane have been a fixture for decades, they explicitly attempt to influence those who witness them, but no Scots politician has ever said we should ban them.

That’s because for generations we’ve respected freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of thought conscience and religion as the hard-won human rights they are and wouldn’t dream of erasing them.

Threat to freedoms

The proposed “Buffer Zone” law would at a stroke undo almost a century of settled international human rights law, leaving our courts to determine whether an individual’s thoughts were permissible or not.

Such a threat to universal and fundamental rights is genuinely frightening.

A growing number of people in Scotland are waking up to this real threat to our freedoms and are calling on the Scottish Government to disassociate itself from this damaging and unnecessary proposal.

Our MSPs should steer well clear of unravelling our Human Rights by allowing the Police to protect the peace, the prayerful to pray and the concept of freedom of expression to survive.

Peter Kearney is Director of the Scottish Catholic Media Office. The Daily Record, having commissioned the above article, refused to publish it.

Threat to silent prayer vigils near abortion centres

Catholics are being urged to respond to a proposed bill that would criminalise silent prayer vigils and offers of help near abortion centres.

Gillian Mackay MSP has published the Bill to introduce ‘safe access zones’, or buffer zones, around abortion centres in Scotland.

The offences under the proposed Bill would make it illegal to offer women help and will criminalise prayer, including audible prayer and silent vigils. In England, Catholics have already been arrested for praying silently under similar laws to those being proposed in Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament has asked for evidence and it is important that as many people as possible respond to the Consultation.

Anthony Horan, director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office said: "We need people to do two things in response to this proposed Bill: These are:

"To make things as easy as possible for you we have put together an online resource, which provides guidance on engaging with the call for evidence and writing to your MSPs." 

You can access the online resource here. For a PDF version of the briefing on the Bill click here.

Do your bit to help protect the freedom to pray in Scotland.

Free2Pray webinar

A Green Party MSP, supported by the Scottish Government, is proposing a Bill to ban peaceful prayers and offers of help near abortion clinics in Scotland.
It proposes a jail sentence of up to two years for anyone who even silently prays near an abortion clinic. Catholics in England have already been arrested under similar laws there.
It is vital that as many Catholics, and all concerned for freedom of speech and assembly, make a response to this dangerous Bill.
Find out more and how to respond at this webinar which takes place on Tuesday 3 October at 7:45pm. Register here.
If the Government is allowed to decide when and where people can pray this is a serious threat to religious freedom.
If the principle is established in this Bill, it could easily be applied to Corpus Christi processions or other forms of Catholic social justice work if politicians decide they don't agree with what is happening.
It is vital that as many Catholics, and all concerned for freedom of speech and assembly, make a response to this dangerous Bill.
Find out more and how to respond at this webinar.
Free2Pray is organised by the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office. Register here.

Bill to ban prayer vigils near abortion clinics lodged in Parliament

A Bill which threatens basic civil liberties has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament.

Gillian Mackay’s proposal to ban prayer and offers of help around abortion facilities will now be considered by the Parliament and has already drawn support from First Minister Humza Yousaf.

The proposals could see people criminalised for simply simply occupying a so-called “buffer zone” near an abortion clinic. Chillingly, it could establish zones in Scotland where prayer is illegal.

Fr Jeremy Milne, Archdiocesan Vicar Episcopal for Marriage and Families said the bill “poses a significant threat to civil liberties by curtailing the freedom of a person to pray in public.  The State will be designating public areas in which it is prohibited, indeed criminal, to pray.”

He added that the bill “denies the opportunity for women who reluctantly seek abortion due to coercion by persons or circumstance to receive last moment offers of help".

"Many women have testified to the value of this in their own lives.  Given that both the mental and emotional wellbeing of the mother and the life of an unborn human being are at stake, the denial of this opportunity is totally unacceptable.”

Peaceful and prayerful

Paul Atkin, Pro-Life Officer at the Archdiocese said: "For years, Police Scotland and NHS Boards have confirmed they have no records of any harassment and that vigils are peaceful and prayerful. In fact, the Police chose not to respond to the Bill’s consultation.

"If there was really a problem at Scottish abortion centres the Police and NHS Boards would be expected to have something to say, but they have presented no evidence.”

He added: “The Bill harms women from poorest parts of Scotland who suffer abortion rates twice as high as those in wealthy areas.

"Banning practical support and offers of help will, ironically, leave women feeling that abortion is their only 'choice.'  This is wrong.

"We call on Gillian Mackay to be pro-all-choices and give real and practical support to women in unexpected pregnancy situations rather than criminalising peaceful people who are providing much needed help and kindness.”

He added: "In reality, Gillian Mackay's Bill supports a campaign by multi-million pound abortion providers with concerning safety records.

"BPAS, which carried out over 90,000 abortions last year, was found to have supplied abortion drugs to a woman who aborted her baby at 32 - 34 weeks.  They have no mandate to speak about women's health or safety."

Atkin noted that Mackay had removed 3,367 pro-life responses from some of the consultation results.

He said “It is disappointing that Gillian Mackay wants to ignore the views of thousands of individuals who opposed her bill online.

“It is not surprising - the aim of this extreme measure appears to be to stop Christians peacefully taking part in public life.

“Gillian Mackay’s complaint that members of the public submitted their responses using the same website show that she is out of touch with modern digital communications methods used by many lobby organisations.”

To learn more about the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office click here. Part of this article comes from the Catholic Parliamentary Office article here.

Day for Life highlights trauma caused by abortion

This year the Day for Life (Sunday 18 June) seeks to highlight the trauma caused by abortion.

Many in our society, but especially women, are affected by abortion and the Bishops want people to know they can find a welcome in the heart of the Church and the promise of hope and healing found in Christ Jesus.

Bishop John Keenan (Paisley Diocese), Bishop President for Marriage, Families & Life, has issued a pastoral letter for the day.

He writes: "The Day for Life is a day in our Church’s year which is dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition from the womb to the tomb.

" This year’s theme is  Listen to Her. It tells Jane’s Story (see below) of the healing a woman found through the Church and the Sacraments and a Rachel’s Vineyard retreat following the tragic circumstances of her abortion, and of her long journey back to peace and light.

"The theme focuses on the all too often silent voices of women like Jane, on their regret, their lifelong struggle with post-abortion trauma and their hope of eventual healing and new life."

A collection will be taken for the Apostolate for Life in parishes in the Archdiocese around this time.

Jane’s Story

I went to Catholic schools, I knew about God and morality on some level, but for me, the culture spoke louder when it came to making decisions around sexuality.

When I was 15, I discovered I was pregnant and the fear clouded everything.

I had one aim, and that was to solve the problem I had found myself in.

A quick search for confidential help landed me at a clinic connected to an abortion provider.

They seemed to genuinely believe that abortion was the solution to my problem and I don’t remember discussing any other options.

I was relieved when they determined that I was capable enough to make this decision alone, without the involvement of an adult, which is still legal to this day.

By hearing other people share their stories and being gently encouraged by the team, I was able to speak the truth of what had happened to me on that day. My feelings were acknowledged, including my sense of loss.

That Saturday I travelled alone to the clinic. My parents were unaware, due to other difficulties in the family home that I didn’t want to contribute to.

I went through the degrading experience of a surgical abortion, and I thought that if I could just get through that day, I would never have to think about it again.

I remember feeling conflicted as a tear rolled down my cheek, that I quickly wiped away.

I believed I couldn’t be sad because this was something I had chosen to do.

So after the initial feeling of relief, I pushed down the experience and avoided anything to do with the topic of abortion.

Looking for direction

It was difficult to be around pregnant women and I found the anniversary difficult each year.

Over the next few years, I became more curious about faith through the invitation of a friend.

I was looking for direction and truth, but my spiritual life was always tainted by the thought that I could never be forgiven for what I had done – somehow, God’s mercy didn’t apply to me.

In the fleeting moments of honesty with myself and God, I knew that my choice didn’t make me lose something, but someone.

At times, this realisation was unbearable. This led to periods of deep depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as more promiscuous behaviour and numbing the pain with alcohol, food, or isolation.

This all changed when I was encouraged to go to confession. Even when I tried to justify my choice, the priest met me with the love and mercy of Jesus.

The tears he shed melted my heart of stone. I began to give up my old ways of life and follow His way.

Healing

On this journey I was introduced to Rachel’s Vineyard: a healing ministry that provides support for those who are suffering after abortion.

I remember the kindness of the woman that I spoke to, and I knew I wouldn’t be judged there.

It took so much courage to go on a retreat, but I can genuinely say it changed my life.

I truly believe that if I’d have known the impact abortion would have had on my life, even as a teenager, I would have made a different choice.

By hearing other people share their stories and being gently encouraged by the team, I was able to speak the truth of what had happened to me on that day.

My feelings were acknowledged, including my sense of loss.

I was finally given permission to grieve for the baby that had died through my choice. I acknowledged my motherhood and named my son Joseph.

This was the start of God turning the guilt, shame and unforgiveness into a deep love for my son, as any good mother would have.

The healing has continued alongside my faith journey. I’ve taken responsibility for the role I played in my abortion, but with perspective and time, I can see that my ‘choice’ wasn’t really a choice at all.

There were other people’s failures, and an inability to truly give informed consent as a teenager that also contributed.

The option that was presented as a quick fix solution has eternal consequences, and I truly believe that if I’d have known the impact abortion would have had on my life, even as a teenager, I would have made a different choice.

Find Day for Life Resources here. Find out more about the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office here.

Witnessing to the sanctity of life in Edinburgh

People gathered in Edinburgh on Saturday in a peaceful public act of witness for the unborn.

Each year, The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) holds its pro-life chain to commemorate the millions of unborn babies killed by abortion since the implementation of the 1967 Abortion Act.

This peaceful act of witness spreads the message that abortion kills unborn children and hurts women and families.

Prior to the event Archbishop Cushley led the Rosary at Sacred Heart Church in nearby Lauriston Street to pray for unborn children, their mothers and all pro-life intentions.

To find out more about SPUC and its work, visit its website here. Find out more about the work of the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office here.

Archbishop Cushley led a Rosary at Sacred Heart Church prior to the event.