News,

Dana Rosemary Scallon MEP has received a prestigious pro-life award in Rome, in recognition of her work for human life and family in Europe. [Breaking News, 16 March]


The Pontifical Academy for Life has issued a condemnation of destructive fertility treatments and embryo research following its conference on the subject last month. The destruction of human embryos was described as "a true massacre of the innocents of our time: no war or catastrophe has ever caused so many victims." [The Guardian, 17 March]


American Life League's STOPP International campaign has announced its intentions to bring about the end of the Planned Parenthood Federation's relationship with the US Girl Scouts. It is compiling a list of Girl Scout councils and their position regarding Planned Parenthood. Jim Sedlak, executive director of STOPP International said: "Wherever the Planned Parenthood predators are preying on our young, we will be there." [CWNews, 16 March]


The Pontifical Academy for Life and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations are holding a symposium to affirm the rights of patients who are in a vegetative state. The meeting will bring together 40 science reporters and 370 participants from 49 countries. Bishop Elio Sgreccia, vice president of the Pontifical Council for Life said at a press conference: "As long as there is life in the person, that person continues to exist in all of his or her dignity, with all of his or her soul." [Zenit, 16 March]


A Wisconsin pharmacist has been accused of unprofessional conduct after he refused to fill out a prescription for the contraceptive pill on the grounds that it might be abortifacient. Neil Noesen went on to refuse to tell the woman where else she could get the prescription processed and police were called. Mr Noesen was fined $250 but has declined to pay and his case will be heard in May. [Lifenews.com, 16 March]


Columbia's Catholic bishops have invited Catholics to observe the Day of the Unborn on 25 March. A note by the Department of Social Communication stated: "This event is an attempt to promote the annual observance of a day in defence of children who are conceived but not yet born." [Zenit, 16 March]


During a speech at the University of Adelaide, Australian Health Minister Tony Abbott spoke of society's need to address the problem of teenage promiscuity with the same seriousness that it tackles smoking and dangerous driving. "Why isn't the fact that 100,000 women choose to end their pregnancies regarded as a national tragedy approaching the scale (say) of Aboriginal life expectancy being 20 years less than that of the general community?" he said. "Even those who think that abortion is a woman's right should be troubled by the fact that 100,000 Australian women choose to destroy their unborn babies every year." [Cathnews, 17 March]

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