Westminster backs abortion up to birth

MPs voted by 379 votes to 137 in favour of an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill that would change the law to make it legal for women to perform their own abortions up to birth, writes the Catholic Parliamentary Office.

The new law, which will now be considered by the House of Lords, would allow for the abortion of a healthy baby right up until the moment of birth and would include abortion for sex-selective purposes.

Whilst the law would only apply to England & Wales (the law relating to abortion is devolved in Scotland), it will undoubtedly influence similar moves to decriminalise abortion in Scotland.

Despite the law not directly applying to Scotland, many Scottish MPs still voted on the proposal.

Thirty MPs voted in favour, whilst nine voted against.

Seventeen Scottish MPs did not vote, including all nine SNP MPs who, as a matter of party policy, would not vote on laws which are not directly related to Scotland. View the full list of how Scottish MPs voted.

Please use the Write to Them online tool to contact your MP about their vote.

Responding to the vote, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley, urged people “never to give up hoping that the dignity of all human life—from conception until natural death—will be upheld and defended on our shores”.

Bishop Keenan expressed his gratitude to all those who engaged with their MPs on the matter and to all who “struggle every day to defend the rights of the unborn in our society and across the world. May God reward your efforts.”

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said that the vote marked “a dark day for our country” and said that MPs were “wildly out of touch with the electorate”, after a poll revealed only 1 per cent of the British public supported abortion up to birth.

Mr Horan quoted Pope John Paul II, who described the culture of death, including abortion and assisted suicide, as a “war of the powerful against the weak”.

He added: “This has never been better illustrated than by MPs in Westminster last night; hundreds of adults gathering to decide the fate of tiny, innocent, unborn babies.”

Paul Atkin, Archdiocesan Pro-Life Officer, said: “MPs ignored warnings that there will be a significant increase in late term abortions and their vote further dehumanises unborn children.

“Pope St John Paul II said that “the acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense, which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and evil.” (Evangelium Vitae, no. 58)

“On Friday, MPs will vote on dangerous proposals to allow assisted suicide and I’d urge all Catholics to write to their MPs with their concerns today.  The best way is via https://writetothem.com

How Archdiocesan MPs voted on abortion up to birth:

Against:

John Lamont Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

For:

Brian Leishman Alloa and Grangemouth
Melanie Ward Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Katrina Murray Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
Graeme Downie Dunfermline and Dollar
Chris Murray Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Tracy Gilbert Edinburgh North and Leith
Ian Murray Edinburgh South
Scott Arthur Edinburgh South West
Christine Jardine Edinburgh West
Euan Stainbank Falkirk
Gregor Poynton Livingston
Susan Murray Mid Dunbartonshire
Kirsty McNeill Midlothian
Wendy Chamberlain North East Fife
Chris Kane Stirling and Strathallan

Did not vote:

Kirsteen Sullivan Bathgate and Linlithgow
David Mundell Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Richard Baker Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Douglas Alexander Lothian East

 

 

 

Bishops meet MPs at Westminster

Scotland's Catholic Bishops joined the Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland on a joint pilgrimage to Westminster on Wednesday.

Archbishop Cushley said: "This was wonderful opportunity to meet the UK Government and our Westminster MPs to discuss matters that are important to Christians and people of Faith in Scotland, but in a UK-wide context.

"I'm especially pleased to do this in the company of Rt Rev Sally Foster Fulton and our friends from the Church of Scotland, particularly in light of the Declaration of Friendship that we signed with them last year."

Archbishop Bill Nolan (Glasgow), Bishop John Keenan (Paisley) and Joseph Toal (Motherwell) also attended.

The Church leaders met Scottish MPs, attended Prime Minister’s Questions and a reception in the House of Lords, which focused on International Aid to South Sudan.

Mass was celebrated at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft at the Palace of Westminster.

Anthony Horan, Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: “This visit presents a fantastic opportunity for the bishops of Scotland to meet MPs representing Scottish constituencies, to strengthen relationships and discuss important issues.

"I am delighted that the bishops will be joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for much of Wednesday’s programme and that they will lead the celebration of Mass in the beautiful chapel of St Mary-Undercroft.”

Rt Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: "I am keenly aware that last week marked one year since the signing of the Saint Margaret Declaration between the Church of Scotland and the Catholic Church, a landmark in the history of ecumenical relations in this country.

"The Church is committed to fostering unity, be that between faiths, denominations, or political parties, as part of our duty as Christians spreading the message of love.

"To effect positive change it is essential that leaders from diverse backgrounds come together for the common good."