In brief

In brief
Scottish Catholics urge opposition to assisted suicide legalisation

Scotland’s Catholic bishops are urging opposition to a measure that would legalise assisted suicide, warning that the government “prevent suicide, not assist it”. A consultation on the Proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill was launched on September 22, and will run through December 22. The Scottish Parliament has twice vetoed similar proposals in recent years.

“Legalising assisted suicide moves in the opposite direction: putting immeasurable pressure on vulnerable people including those with disabilities to end their lives prematurely, for fear of being a financial, emotional or care burden on others”, stated Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, an agency of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

 

Bishop of San Marino re-affirms support to pregnant women after country’s legalisation of abortion

The Bishop of San Marino, Andrea Turazzi, released a statement saying that pregnant women must be supported so that “no stone is left unturned in seeking alternatives” to abortion. The statement follows the country’s legalisation of abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

“We must ensure that never again does a life not blossom because of insecurity, distrust, loneliness, lack of custody and protection or for economic reasons,” Bishop Andrea said.

“Today, with the progress of science, with the means at our disposal, with the growth of social consciousness, we can do so much to welcome unborn life.”

 

Archdiocese of Toronto requires regular testing for unvaccinated

The Archdiocese of Toronto announced that it will adopt a more robust approach when dealing with the issue of unvaccinated clergy who minister in the archdiocese.

Outlining the new rules, Cardinal Thomas Collins intimated that clergy in the Archdiocese of Toronto who have not received a Covid vaccination must show proof of a recent negative coronavirus test to their pastor “prior to or immediately upon entering parish offices, or presiding at religious services”.

The new requirements also apply to volunteers, lectors, choir members, ushers, and “individuals performing similar functions” as well as employees at parishes, the chancery, and “satellite offices”. However no proof of vaccination or recent negative test will be required to attend Mass or other religious services, the policy states.

 

Transgender students ‘unknowingly’ admitted to Catholic seminaries, archbishop warns

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki believes that, “bishops should consider requiring DNA tests or physical examinations to ensure that all seminarians are biological men”, in a recent brief sent to the members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The statement comes after the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance was made aware of instances where it had been discovered that a woman living under a transgendered identity had been unknowingly admitted to the seminary or to a house of formation of an institute of consecrated life.

In one case, said Archbishop Listecki, “the individual’s sacramental records had been fraudulently obtained to reflect her new identity”.

 

Colorado parish church vandalised with pro-abortion graffiti

A Catholic parish in Boulder, Colorado, with a memorial to aborted babies on its front lawn was desecrated with pro-abortion graffiti in the early hours of September 29.

Mark Evevard, Youth Director and Social Communications Director for the parish, stated that, “the police believe it was a group of unidentified assailants who hit the church, and that police are currently investigating”.