Matt25:
I hesitate to intrude on my southern neighbours but I think that “Cherishing Life” from 2004
catholic-ew.org.uk/cherishinglife/contents.htm develops the thought of “The Common Good”
The issue of abortion is a conscience one so MP’s vote as individuals not as party hacks. There are pro-life MPs in all parties. I believe that Blair abstains on the issue whenever it comes before the House.
Of course, Cherishing Life was, in some senses, the next issue from the Common Good. Much of what is said in Cherishing Life refers back to the Common Good, (as your quotation amply shows) and both documents allow for the wide aspects of a political party and the more narrow requirements of Single Issue politics. Both documents recognise that even in the UK such contentious issues as abortion have to be given a free vote in the Commons and it is this point that allows the questioning of individuals.
The problem of course is that any pro life issue is always kept well clear of political debate, Howards move was stupid, from a political point of view raising such an issue during an election campaign will leave him open to being pressurised from both sides of the debate without being able to reconcile himself to either.
I must admit whether one is pro life or not, I think Howard has shown a remarkable degree of political ineptitude with this latest statement. Bush may have got away with it on the other side of the water but, I believe there is a much greater degree of political cynicism ( or maybe a healthy disrespect for political manouvering) in Europe than the States. In the long term I would suspect it’s lost him more votes than he has gained.
I think that the most effective way of promoting the pro life agenda is through direct contact with individual politicians (preferably outside an election period) a cogent and non confrontational presentation of the the FACTS regarding abortion; and that has been quite effective with some of the latest revelations regarding the development of the Feotus in its early stages, and the offer of support and help to women who are being forced to contemplate this course of action. Criminalising them or making them out to be “Devils” or whatever simply makes you look stupid and very unchristian, it’s a short cut to alienating those whose support you really require, i.e. as we say in the UK “The Great Unwashed”. By using facts and not getting drawn into an argument based on emotion you avoid the inevitable label of simply being a “crank” or “Religious Nut” which is the conventional fall back used by those opposing pro life.
I’m desperately trying to remember the Bishops name in Scotland a few years ago who created such a furore by offering women money and support to carry their pregnancy through to term, (anybody remember?). It is that sort of action, but on a much larger scale, that could have the greatest effect on the current situation.
Looking after, supporting and making feel wanted, and helping those in this terrible trap of unwanted pregnancies is far more effective than lobbing a bomb through some abortion clinic window. If politicians can see an effective and viable alternative in the current climate they are likely to jump at it.
. We assumed we were listed to vote as part of paying our council tax but I am still listed in Coventry (I haven’t lived there for more than a year!) and I can’t get back there to vote. May vote by proxy there I guess, but wanted to vote in my own area.
What about American Idol… 
