Briefing: some good news for a change. These nuns have the Traditional Mass and the traditional Office and Rule.
From CFNews: A new congregation of Franciscan sisters who follow a strict contemplative rule have taken over a historic former Carmelite convent at Lanherne in Cornwall and are worshipping according to the 1962 Latin Missal.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are congregations approved by Rome who live lives of dynamic poverty.
Their convent is housed in a former manor house that once belonged to the Arundell family. It became home for Carmelite nuns for about 200 years -- the oldest Carmel in England. About seven years ago the nuns decided to leave Lanherne and move to St Helens, b ut were determined to find a contemplative community who would make sure that Lanherne continued as a place of spirituality and prayer. Divine Providence provided an answer : the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate took up residence.
There are twelve sisters at present, most of them in their thirties and forties. The rule is strict. The nuns have been using the 1962 Mass Rite on a daily basis since June 2008. The Conventual Mass is sung daily - the Masses are open to the faithful. They are currently awaiting the publication and delivery of new Traditional breviaries when the Office will be recited according to the Roman Seraphic Breviary (i.e. Franciscan Rite 1962).
Please send your donations to the Reverend Mother, Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, Lanherne, Newquay, Cornwall TR8 4ER. Cheques should be made payable to the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate. All benefactors are prayed for daily and will be sent a copy of the brief history of Lanherne. Mass at Lanherne is offered daily at 8.00 am on all weekdays and at 10.00 am on Sundays and Holy Days. [Telegraph]
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Contemplative nuns in Cornwall
Monday, March 09, 2009
Teenage single mothers: a problem?
Briefing.
From CFNews: A former Government minister has spoken out about Britain's 'national catastrophe' - its 'army' of teenage mothers living on benefits. Writing on his internet blog, Tom Harris MP also accused the Government of lacking moral leadership.
Mr Harris anticipated his readers' shock at a Labour MP speaking so forthrightly on a topic considered largely taboo within the party. 'But', he wrote, 'I can no longer pretend that the army of teenage mothers living off the state is anything other than a national catastrophe.'
The Glasgow South MP identified a lack of moral leadership from the Government as the key reason why so many young girls get pregnant and succumb to benefit dependency, very often following the example set in their own families.
Mr Harris said that effective Government policies were needed, but that 'policies are one thing; winning the argument about why they're needed is another. And we have to start by making it clear what we believe is right and wrong. How can we expect parents to teach that to their kids if our political leaders aren't prepared to say the same?'
He also wrote: 'There is right and wrong and it is wrong for anyone to choose to have a child without knowing what's involved in its upbringing, without being prepared to sacrifice your own lifestyle for it.'
He continued: 'People shouldn't be ashamed of their circumstances, but neither should we avoid making value judgments about others' choices, especially when those choices result in a greater burden on the state, and lead to the continuation of the underclass. Teenage girls shouldn't be having underage sex. Why? Because it's wrong.
'Teenage girls shouldn't choose to have babies as an alternative to getting an education and a career. Why? Because it's wrong.
'Parents shouldn't teach their children that a lifetime on benefits is attractive or even acceptable. Why? Because it's wrong.
'(Please assume all the usual caveats: some people have no choice but to claim benefits, lots of single parents do a great job, etc.)'
Aware of the criticism he would face from liberal commentators and some in his own party, Mr Harris wrote: 'Being accused of accepting the current appalling state of affairs, of pretending that the concepts of right and wrong are meaningless - that is far worse than being accused of pandering to the right.'
Mr Harris's comments attracted support from some of his party's political opponents, including Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith. Well known for his extensive research into the causes of Britain's 'broken society', Mr Duncan Smith said: 'We are into the third and fourth generation of lone teenage mothers and the Government has done nothing to end it because they refuse to say whether this is right or wrong.'
Recent figures showing an increase in teenage conceptions prompted Children's Minister Beverley Hughes to speak out about young people's need for moral guidance.
She said: 'This is not just about the mechanics of sex, it is about relationships, moral values and about making clear what is right and wrong and what you expect from young people, but it is doing that in a way that enables them to take part in the dialogue.'
And many social commentators greeted Gordon Brown's recent call for a return to 'traditional' financial policies with a demand for traditional social policies as well.
Columnist Janet Daley wrote of 'the great cultural shift' embodied by the Labour Government, a shift which included 'the celebration of personal fulfilment and self-realisation at any cost.' She said this was the case 'even if that involved breaking up a marriage or having a child outside a stable family'.
But Mr Harris insisted that he was not initiating a 'back to basics' crusade: 'I'm not sounding the rallying cry for Christian or religious morality. But when the actions of others has such a debilitating effect on the rest of society, it's time to stop being polite.
'It's time to stop worrying about how people's feelings might be hurt if we question the choices they've made. Because very often, those choices are wrong. And it's about time we said so.' [Christian Institute]
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Gay History week: parents rights trampled
Briefing.
From CFNews: Parents who took their children out of school in protest at them being taught about homosexual, bisexual and transgender history could be prosecuted.
Council bosses said the protest resulted in around 30 primary pupils missing school and had 'taken action' against parents who pulled took their children out of George Tomlinson School in Leytonstone, east London, but refused to state what sanctions are being taken.
Pervez Latif, a 41-year-old accountant whose children Saleh, 10, and Abdurrahin, nine, attend the school, said his wife Shaheen, 38, was worried they could be taken to court.
He said: 'My wife is very concerned she might be prosecuted. 'As yet we haven't heard anything from the council about whether they are taking action.'
He said he knew of about 30 children who had been taken out of classes during the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Week after parents objected to their youngsters being encouraged to 'celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in the community'.
Under current laws parents can be prosecuted for failing to ensure their children attend school.
Mr Latif, from Leytonstone, said: 'We were worried because weren't sure how they were going to teach our children these issues. We don't think it is necessary to teach it for a whole week and the children are so young. It is more appropriate for secondary school. Most children that age don't understand these things. When we took our children out of school we had to explain why - they didn't know what two parents the same sex meant.'
A spokesman for Waltham Forest Council refused to reveal how many children missed lessons or what action would be taken against pupils but the council's website said parents of truant youngsters can be asked to sign a contract, given an on the spot fine or hauled into court.
The spokesman added: 'As part of the borough's policy of promoting tolerance in our schools, children are taught that everyone in our society is of equal value. At George Tomlinson, parents were invited to meet with teachers and governors several weeks ago to discuss what work would be taking place throughout the national LGBT History Month, and how this work would be delivered.
'Regrettably, some parents chose to remove their children from school. The council does not condone any unauthorised absence from school and action has been taken.' [Telegraph]
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Government pays couples to divorce
Briefing. Yet another study on the 'marriage penalty' imposed by the tax and benefits system.
They found that the introduction of Working Families Tax Credit in 1999 made it easier for mothers to boost their income through work, because it allowed them to claim back 70 per cent of their child care costs.
But the system - which was reformed again in 2003 - also made divorce an "attractive 'outside option'" to women whose husbands were unemployed or worked less than 16 hours a week on low pay. This is because they would be more likely to qualify for the benefits if they were single.
They claim mothers in poor households were more than 2 percentage points more likely to get divorced than childless women after the reforms, "representing an increase of almost 160 per cent with respect to the pre-reform period".
Friday, March 06, 2009
Blairs deny the faith
Comment: as if we needed to know any more about their views, both parts of this gruesome twosome have publicly declared their opposition to the Church's infallible teaching: Tony on homosexuality, Cherie on contraception. H-T John Smeaton.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Petition for parents' rights in education
Action: please sign up here.
'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to remind his government that parents must remain responsible in law for ensuring the welfare and education of their children and that the state should not seek to appropriate these responsibilities'.
The deadline for signing the petion is May 20th, 2009. You have to be a British citizen or resident to sign.)
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Abortion harms women
Briefing. Here's just one way.
Dossier: National Justice and Peace Network
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Archbishop of Baltimore on the Legionaries
Graglia against Feminism: 24
A continuing series; see here for the introduction, and here for more on feminism in the Catholic Church in the UK.
From Domestic Tranquility, p357
Monday, March 02, 2009
Boycott Red Nose Day
Action: do NOT give money to Red Nose Day / Comic Relief. They give millions to charities such as Oxfam which promote abortion. Their claim in 2000 to the Bishops' Conference that they do not is simply not true. Do they think we are stupid?
The African Women's Development fund (AWDF), according to Comic Relief, received £1,560,000. The AWDF charter of feminist principles proclaims its commitment to "Freedom of choice and autonomy regarding bodily integrity issues, including reproductive rights, abortion, sexual identity and sexual orientation".
See his full post.
Good Counsel Network event
Please support this if you can.
From CFNews: Good Counsel Network : Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Good Counsel Network Chapel, Marylebone, London,
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Gay propaganda in schools
Action: parents must find out what is happening in their children's schools in the name of 'LGBT History Month' and protest, if necessary. It can't be stressed enough that the most gross propaganda is being shoved down children's throats in all sorts of subjects - it can come in anywhere in the school day.
LGBT History Month has taken place every February since 2005. It was conceived by 'gay rights' campaigners with the aim of educating pupils to recognise homosexuality as normal.
In the past it has tried to teach children that Florence Nightingale was a lesbian and that Isaac Newton was gay.
The organisers commend the efforts of one school in Stoke Newington in 2007. In a report on the school's events, the teacher responsible said: 'Six girls tried to walk out of the Year 9 assembly because they were Christians and their parents had said they were not to take part in any of the LGBT celebrations.'
The teacher said the girls were told 'students must not be racist, sexist or homophobic' and were made to attend the assembly despite their beliefs.
Its current suggested lesson plans include discussing genes, gender and the concept of 'intersex' in science, producing images of LGBT people in art, and exposing Leonardo Da Vinci's bisexuality in Design and Technology classes.
Since the repeal of Section 28 of the Local Government Act in 2003 there has been no statutory ban on the promotion of homosexuality in schools.
LGBT History is sponsored by several Government departments, police forces and other public bodies.
Women and equalities minister Harriet Harman, and MEP Michael Cashman, will also be present at the Downing Street reception.
Organiser Tony Fenwick said: 'This is a fantastic moment for the LGBT community; we really are on the threshold of something big.
'Who would have thought five years ago that a group wanting to put lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans people into the National Curriculum would be welcomed by the Prime Minister of our nation?'
The organisers of LGBT History Month say: 'Schools have a crucial role in educating for equality. They have a responsibility to every pupil to ensure a safe and secure learning environment in which they can thrive. They have a responsibility to all pupils to prepare them for adult life in the real world.
'A key part of of the educational process is to ensure that the culture of our schools is inclusive and welcoming. Countering the prevalent assumption that everyone represented in the curriculum (including the hidden curriculum) is heterosexual becomes essential.'
They say: 'This focused month is uniquely placed as a national initiative encouraging staff and students alike to collectively challenge the homophobia and prejudice which is endemic in our society.
'Diverse images round the school that include LGBT people at work and as parents contribute much to set new norms.'
The organisers offer the following examples of how another school incorporated LGBT History Month into the curriculum.
* Maths lesson explored the work of Alan Turing, [a gay man], known as the Father of Computers.
* English lesson read James Baldwin [a gay man], and explored how his sexual orientation affected his work. Jackie Kay, a lesbian of black Scottish heritage is another fine writer pupils can study.
* Geography lesson explored population movement and discovered why and how LGBT people move to cities around the country and sometimes move to new countries.
* Religion class explored how various texts mention sexual orientation and gender and how people differ in their interpretation and behaviour and how these can be interpreted in terms of social harmony.
* Media lessons explored the images of LGBT people and why they are predominately young and male and white people.
* Science lesson discussed genes and gender and the concept of intersex.
* Art class used to produce images of LGBT people that could be used in the school
* Drama season used LGBT History as the basis of an improvised play to educate and entertain the whole school on the issues.
* Design and Technology lesson on some of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions, and remembering to expose his bi-sexual identity.
[Christian Institute]
Lent 09 issue of The Flock
The Lent issue of The Flock, the newsletter of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, is available on-line. SADLY, Bishop Conry's stance differs very little from that of his brother bishops, with Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue the one notable exception. All the others betray the Catholic Church and its members by 1 their consistent failure to ensure that the Catholic schools they are responsible for, teach the faith according to the 1994 Catechism; 2 uniting our Catholic schools with Anglican schools and arranging joint Anglican/Catholic religious instruction, often given by non-Catholic teachers; 3 permitting explicit classroom lessons on sex even in Catholic primary schools, in spite of the Vatican ruling that such lessons are always unlawful and sex should never be taught to children of primary age: 4 agreeing to install Moslem Prayer Rooms and ritual washing facilities in Catholic schools although these are not required by law and are not found in state schools; 5 insisting that Catholic schools must accept children who have been baptised without considering Sunday Mass attendance or reception of the Sacraments. This goes further than Government requirements and it means that good schools like Cardinal Vaughan Senior School may have to refuse faithful Catholics while admitting those who do not practice; 6 producing a leaflet urging parish priests to welcome homosexuals in Homilies and Bidding Prayers expressing “appreciation of the gifts homosexuals bring to their faith community” without mentioning that all single Catholics are called to celibacy. This has caused particular distress to Catholic homosexuals striving to live chaste lives; 7 knowingly allowing openly practising homosexuals to hold Conferences and to celebrate Masses where Holy Communion is given, in their dioceses. Perhaps the most glaring example is Warwick Street Church in Westminster Archdiocese where every other Sunday Masses for openly practising homosexuals are permitted at 5 p.m. followed by a Social. These have continued for two years now and we still pray the Rosary outside in reparation for the sacrileges committed. 8 ignoring instructions from Rome on the Liturgy and other points saying “This doesn't apply to England”! Even contradicting the Holy Father, as H.E. Cardinal Cormac did recently when he insisted that the Pope's clear insistence that the Church teaches homosexuals are unsuitable for ordination was “very much misrepresented.” His Eminence claims that the Pope was merely discussing “human ecology”! See The Catholic Times for 11th Jan. 2009. 9 allowing General Absolution condemned by Rome as a serious abuse of the Sacrament of Penance, to continue unabated and openly advertised on web-sites and in parish newsletters in many dioceses. 10 permittimg marriage preparation programmes which fail to mention Church teaching on marriage and sometimes Our Lord Himself – for an example visit: http://www.torchofthefaith.com There is much more, but these examples show how low we have sunk, partl y However, any diocesan bishop is free to exercise his rightful authority any time he chooses. Bishop O'Donoghue has shown the way in his Diocese. The Vatican, in the person of Archbishop Luis Ladaria, Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, endorsed Bishop O'Donoghue's Fit for Mission Documents. His Grace also expressed the hope that “Catholics throughout Britain will find hope and encouragement in these Documents” . If you have not yet seen the Documents, we still have copies of the Summary which you can order from us for a small donation. You can also view them here: Bishop O'Donoghue's two Mission Documents. See also the other recommended publications in the Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice shop at: http://www.proecclesia.com/page_pro%20ecclesia%20shop.htm
Contents:
CAN CATHOLICS DISSENT FROM CHURCH TEACHING?
AN OPEN LETTER TO BISHOP CONRY OF ARUNDEL AND BRIGHTON
BISHOP CONRY IS NOT ALONE IN HIS DISSENT
‘LOONEY LEFT' VERSUS ‘CONSERVATIVE RIGHT'!
“. . . and the trumpets sounded for them on the other side!”
DEAR FRIENDS
OBEDIENCE TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER
GOOD RESOURCES WE CAN USE
A PRAYER TO OUR LADY
WRITING TO ROME.
Highlights: Daphne MacLeod's article on 'Loony left vs. conservative right' is excellent, and contains a number of amusing anecdotes, such as this one:
Another time, at a talk in Portsmouth for catechists, I inadvertently upset a priest by saying I found Mass and Holy Communion helpful when the Speaker, a crazy Australian, wanted suggestions like hugging a tree which he finds spiritually uplifting. Father told me in no uncertain terms to go and he would refund my fee. I didn't go so he smouldered all day and as I finally set off home I could still hear him shouting “whitened sepulchre” down the street after me.
due to a misunderstanding of collegiality which leads to majority rule instea d
of each bishop individually taking responsibility for the Faith in his diocese.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Lesbians to get IVF: at taxpayers' expense
From SPUC: A court in Scotland has persuaded the local state health authority to pay
for IVF for a female homosexual couple. Caroline Harris and Julie McMullan claimed discrimination because of their sexual orientation and the Glasgow-based health board says it re-examined their case in the light of last year's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. [Scotsman, 27 February]
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Holocaust and abortion
I am reading stories that "the Vatican" has "rejected" Williamson’s recently issued apology.
Fr. Lombardi said:
...Williamson’s statement "does not seem to respect the conditions" set forth by the Vatican on February 4, when it ordered Williamson to "in an absolutely unequivocal and public way distance himself from his positions" regarding the Holocaust.I don’t think that any apology SSPX Bp. Williamson may issue about his views on the Holocaust will ever be enough for certain groups, both of Jews and within the Church. They may have crafted this in such a way that they know he will not do it.
But whatever else may happen with Bp. Williamson, will unambiguous apologies be required now from the more avid pro-abortion Catholic politicians?
If there are concerns that someone would deny that 6 million Jews were killed in WWII, and apologies are demanded from such a person, is there going to be equal concern over those who promote or participate in a far more extensive killing of the innocent?
Will Catholic pro-abortion politicians be required to issue apologies, as unambiguous as that which they require from Williamson… heck any apology at all…. for voting for abortion rights?
I’m just askin’
EU People's Party to be more pro-death
Briefing: the European People's Party is the main grouping of right-of-centre parties in the European Parliament. It includes many Christian Democrat-type parties, and currently the British Conservative Party, although David Cameron has pledged to pull Conservative MEPs out of the EPP (because it is too keen on eroding national sovereignty).
From the Iona Institute (via CFNews): The European People's Party (EPP), which is the grouping of mainly Christian Democrat parties from across the EU has circulated a draft election manifesto for the upcoming European elections in June. The document, which is being discussed this week, is much more radical than its 2004 manifesto with regard to the issues of marriage and the right-to-life..
For example, the 2004 document referred to 'an apparent crisis' of the 'institution' of the family, and defined the institution as 'this unique tie of man and woman', a clear reference to marriage. It argued that the family thus defined 'deserves special and concrete support of society', and that 'what is good for the family is good also for society.'
However, in the 2009 document, the reference to the 'unique tie of man and woman' has been deleted. In addition, the section of the draft manifesto headed 'Reconciliation of Family and Work Life' calls on member-states to adapt their policies 'in support of family life to take account of demographic ageing and the growing diversity in family relationships'. In other words, family diversity rather than marriage is now the order of the day for the EPP.
On life issues, the 2004 manifesto referred to the party's respect for 'human life in all its forms (including embryos) and at all stages; to respect the human dignity in medical and genetic advancements'. It said the EPP 'opposes euthanasia, eugenics, human cloning'. This last line has been deleted from the 2009 draft manifesto.
The 2004 manifesto also called on the EU not to fund 'biotechnological practices that are illegal in at least one of the Member states' on the basis that this best protects and safeguards human dignity while also fully respecting the principle of subsidiarity. This meant that it opposed the current practice whereby the EU funds embryo stem-cell research. Ireland backs EU funding of such research.
However, in the draft 2009 manifesto this policy no longer exists. [The Iona Institute]
Thursday, February 26, 2009
New teachers' code threatens Christian teachers
Action: please take a few minutes to complete the survey - the new code is undergoing consultation by the General Teaching Council. The key point here is that instead of being fair to pupils and not demeaning them (as the old code demands), the proposed code expects teachers to promote a particular political agenda, that of 'equality and diversity'. As we have learnt to our cost, promoting (as opposed to tolerating it or respecting it etc.) 'diversity' means encouraging non-traditional lifestyles and so on - a totally inappropriate thing for a teacher to do, even according to the government: he Government’s own Sex and Relationship Education Guidance says that it is “inappropriate teaching” to promote a sexual orientation.
From Christian Concern for our Nation: The General Teaching Council for England published their new draft Code of Conduct and Practice for teachers in England in November 2008. Teachers are required to sign a clause saying that they will adhere to the Code before they can be registered and the Code is used as a standard by which teachers are judged by the GTC or by Employment Tribunals, as well as by schools and Local Education Authorities.
It is of concern that the Code requires teachers to “promote equality and diversity in all their professional relationships” in Principle 4. This implies that teachers will be required to promote other religions and/or sexual practices outside marriage and it could lead to censorship. We believe that teachers should be required to respect pupils, parents and colleagues from other backgrounds, but should not be required to promote other religions and sexual orientations such as homosexuality that are contrary to their beliefs. The ordinary meanings of the words “equality” and “diversity” should not cause a problem, but recent cases have shown how these terms have been interpreted to require promotion of values contrary to Christian beliefs. For example, a nurse, Caroline Petrie, was suspended for offering to pray for a patient and a registrar, Lillian Ladele, was dismissed for refusing to carry out civil partnership ceremonies. It is important to respond to this survey because as a result of this draft Code, Christian teachers could face disciplinary action or even dismissal for practising their faith.
Please take a few minutes to defend the freedoms of Christian teachers by responding to the survey.
Responding to the Survey Anyone can respond to the General Teaching Council for
England’s survey on their draft Code of Conduct for teachers. Before you respond, you need to read the draft Code of Conduct and practice, which can be accessed here: http://www.opm.co.uk/gtc/GTCE_draft_code.pdf.
Replies are needed by Friday 27th February 2009.
The questionnaire is anonymous. Answers can be changed by going backwards and
forwards between questions and only once the ‘submit’ button is clicked will
the entire survey be sent. The website estimates that users should be able to
complete the survey in 15 minutes.
The survey’s website advises you that if you experience technical difficulties
completing the survey you can contact Jo Sloman on 020 7239 7823 and that if
you wish to talk to someone about the survey you can contact Kate Willcocks at
OPM by e-mail: kwillcocks@opm.co.uk or by phone: 020 7239 0875.
interest in the survey. You will therefore be asked whether you are a teacher,
a parent, a governor, a pupil and so on. You will also be asked what your
length of service is, or the age of your children as appropriate. All
participants are required to state whether they are responding from within
England and from which region.
Section B asks questions about the Code itself and offers the opportunity for
general comments regarding the introduction to the Code (box B2); the content
of the Code (box B5) and the language or tone of the code (box B7).
Section C gives you an opportunity to make general comments.
You can see our responses to the questions that ask for comments if you click on
this link http://www.ccfon.org/docs/CCFON_Response_to_the_GTCE_Survey.pdf .
Please answer the questions as you see fit, including a selection of our points
if you wish, but it is best if you try and put them in your own words. You may
forward this e-mail to others who may wish to respond to the survey, but please
do not post it on any website. You will need to fill in the survey at the
following link: http://www.opmsurveys.co.uk/gtcsurvey.htm.
We suggest that you use some of the following points in your answers:
All teachers need to be registered, so this means that Christian teachers, who
have to agree to abide by the Code, will be signing up for an equality and
diversity agenda that is contrary to their core beliefs.
A teacher’s job is to teach, it is not to be an equality and diversity officer.
The Government’s own Sex and Relationship Education Guidance says that it is
“inappropriate teaching” to promote a sexual orientation, it is therefore
doubly inappropriate to be disciplined for not doing so.
The new draft Code should take the approach of the current Code in setting down
minimum standards only.
Much of what is in the new draft Code (when compared to the current Code) should
be contained in non-disciplinary guidance. Teachers should not be disciplined
for acting on their values, but only when they bring the profession into
disrepute, such as by acquiring a criminal conviction or by demeaning a pupil.
The code should not cover matters of promoting higher professional standards,
which should be in a separate advisory non-disciplinary guide.
The code on equality and diversity could be used to victimise Christian
teachers, who do not wish to promote a sexual orientation and other religions
contrary to their beliefs.
The cases of the nurse Caroline Petrie and of Jennie Cain, a primary school
receptionist who is being investigated by her school after her 5 year-old
daughter spoke to friends about Jesus, show how the equality and diversity
agenda can be used to victimise Christians.
All current references to equality and diversity should be removed from the
draft Code and replaced by the wording on these issues in the current Code to
show that teachers’ duties amount to treating those from diverse backgrounds
with respect by refraining from demeaning them—the correct scope for
disciplinary matters.
The equality and diversity promotion aspects of the code could be used gradually
to remove from the teaching profession Christian teachers and prospective
Christian teachers, because they will be unable, in good conscience, to comply
with its requirements. The Christian ethos motivates many of the profession’s
most valued, loving, caring teachers. In short there is a danger that the
profession will lose many talented and experienced teachers who are currently
an asset to the profession.
Teachers should not be required to promote what may amount to a
politically-correct view that is contrary to their consciences and beliefs.
“Diversity” means respecting the diversity of staff as well as that of pupils
and/or parents.
The Code is used for the registration of all teachers and their discipline so it
is important to ensure that it is restricted to minimum standards only.
Christian teachers and prospective Christian teachers would have great
difficulty in agreeing to Principle 4 that requires the promotion of equality
and diversity; such issues should not be included.
There is already growing concern at the victimisation of Christian teachers in
schools in relation to diversity issues, including a head teacher who tried to
apply the statutory requirement for collective worship in assemblies, (see the
following article from The Daily Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/4623783/Christianity
-in-schools-why-were-losing-our-religion.html) and this code will make such
matters much worse.
The code could result in those who wish to attack both Christian teachers and
Christianity in schools having the ammunition to do so using terms such as
“equality”, “diversity” and “inclusion” as a pretext. These terms are causing
the marginalisation of Christianity.
The effect of this code could be gradually to remove Christian teachers and
those of other faiths from the teaching profession.
There is a difference between teaching about other faiths and promoting them.
The new draft Code should be reformulated along the lines of the current Code,
which serves its purpose as a disciplinary code well, because it restricts
itself to disciplinary matters. Much of the material in the draft Code should
be in a separate code of advisory, non-disciplinary status, covering
professional standards. For example, teachers showing the core values of
“excellence and continual development” and “commitment and empathy” are
professional standards to strive to achieve, but failure to attain them should
not warrant disciplinary measures.
Andrea Minichiello Williams
Christian Concern for our Nation
http://www.ccfon.org
Lancaster adoption agency cuts ties with Church
Briefing.
Jim Cullen, chief executive of the charity, which has renamed itself Caritas Care, said comments by Bishop of Lancaster Patrick O'Donoghue about same-sex adoption was 'a significant drive' behind the changes.
The Bishop said it would be 'unthinkable, indeed heart-breaking' for the agency to agree to new equality laws which came in last month, meaning it must treat gay and lesbian couples the same as heterosexual couples when it comes to finding homes for children.
Mr Cullen said: 'Bishop Patrick did say if we did comply with the law, we would not be able to call ourselves Catholic.
'We are still a Catholic charity in as much as everything we do is still driven by the teachings of the church, but we no longer receive support from the Diocese, in the sense it no longer provides any funding.
'We would have had collections to support us financially from the Diocese and receive other guidance from it, but that has now stopped.'
Bishop O'Donoghue stepped down from the charity's board of trustees at the end of last year.
Mr Cullen said the charity, which is based in Tulketh Road in Ashton, Preston, would feel the hit of losing the financial support as trust funds and councils which support it also feel the squeeze of the recession.
He said that it had not yet felt the impact of the downturn on councils it works for, but expected to in the near future.
The chief executive said: 'If these things conspire against us it will be very difficult. We will need to more than ever be tight and in control of our resources.'
Bishop O'Donoghue has declined to comment but in an open letter to the charity's trustees last October he urged them not to 'capitulate' to the changes in the law.
He said: 'I remain convinced the best interests of children are served when they live with and are brought up by a married couple.' [Lancashire Evening Post]
