Young people from across the Archdiocese recently attended the best-attended SPUC Youth Conference ever.
Themed “The Culture Awakens”, the conference brought together nearly 300 young pro-life advocates from across the UK.
Each year the Archdiocese sponsors young people to attend the conference as part of its efforts to encourage and support pro-life leadership among students and young adults.
Among those attending from the Archdiocese was Aimee (below), a law and politics student at the University of Stirling who was baptised into the Catholic Church last year.
She said: “I found the SPUC conference really insightful and I feel empowered after meeting so many people who want to bring a culture of life to the UK.
“I found it moving to see the emphasis on love and compassion for women who have unplanned pregnancies and learning the different organisations that can support them.”
Francois de Cockborne (below), a French student studying in Edinburgh at Kaplan College and currently singing in the choir at the St Mary’s Cathedral, attended the conference while spending time in Scotland improving his English.
Francois said: After spending three months in Scotland to improve my English, I took advantage of this weekend to learn more about British pro-life and faith culture among young people, invite some of them to the Chartres Pilgrimage, and of course practice my English.
“I am already looking at flights to return next year, perhaps with friends. I believe the fight we are waging for life is universal.”
Gap year student Elisabeth Stover (below) attended with her brother Maximillian, both returning for another year at the conference.
Elisabeth said: “The SPUC youth conference was an amazing opportunity to learn more about the pro-life cause and find ways to get involved.”
Maximillian added: “It was an amazing experience; the talks were both informative and moving, and I met multiple new friends in the pro-life community.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people, get informed about abortion, and become inspired to actually act.”
The event provided an opportunity for young people to meet others who share their commitment to the dignity of human life, hear from expert speakers and develop the confidence to speak up for the vulnerable.
The programme included talks, workshops, Mass and social events, giving participants the chance both to learn and to build friendships with others committed to defending life.
Participants also heard from a range of speakers. Among them was Edinburgh University graduate Alithea Williams, who spoke about how the pro-life movement can draw lessons from the historical campaign to abolish slavery.
The conference programme included daily Mass and a traditional ceilidh in the evening, offering time for prayer, celebration and friendship.
The closing address, “Leading Cultural Renewal,” was delivered by SPUC CEO John Deighan.
Conor, an Edinburgh University student, highlighted the supportive atmosphere of the event.
He said: “The Conference was a valuable opportunity to reflect on pro-life work, in a thoughtful and respectful environment.
“A particular highlight was attending an ARCH workshop on appropriate emotional support for women and engaging in constructive discussions with other young people. I’m very grateful to the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh for their support in making this possible”
The Archdiocese encourages young people interested in pro-life work to apply for sponsorship to attend future conferences. 2027 sponsorship applications are open to school and university students and other young people in the Archdiocese.
For more information contact the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office: prolife@staned.org.uk. Last photo: Francois de Cockborne.
