A Mass in Wrexham Cathedral was celebrated by Bishop Regan for all Health workers in the Diocese at 3 pm on Saturday October 17th. The Mass was attended, despite adverse weather conditions, by a small representative group of doctors, nurses, dentists and others working in the NHS. Bishop Regan preached about the importance of showing care and compassion for all patients and of witnessing to Christian principles and ideals in ones day to day work. He also referred to the excellent work done by Professor Jack Scarisbrick - present at the Mass with his Grand-daughter Roseanne, and the 'Life' organisation which he had co-founded and of which he was currently Chairman.
After Mass, Professor Scarisbrick gave a talk in the Cathedral Hall on the topic - 'The Gospel of Life: The supreme cause of our day'. He was introduced by the Master of the North Wales Branch of the Guild of Catholic Doctors - Mr Bob Leeming FRCS, who mentioned Life's 180 Care Centres and 40 Houses in the UK together with the branches in Ireland and Western Europe. It was also noted that Life's sister charity - the Life Hospital Trust, is providing pro-life female infertility treatment and the world's first baby Hospice ‘Zoe’s Place’ in Liverpool.
In his talk Professor Scarisbrick first gave a general overview of current abortion statistics since implementation of the 1967 Abortion Act. He stated that in the past 30 years about 5 million abortions had been carried out. He also referred to in-vitro fertilisation and the 18,000 children alive today by means of this technique but also the 138,000 foetuses discarded as ‘surplus to requirement’. He painted a truly horrific picture remarking upon the zeal shown by those dedicated to provision of abortion services notably the Family Planning Association and International Planned Parenthood Federation. The Government actively supports the latter with £12 million annually.
He then reported the findings of many researchers that abortion, apart from the damage to the baby and far from protecting the life and health of the mother (the main legal grounds for abortion in 97% cases) may actually cause female ill health whilst pregnancy may prevent it. In the last decade much information has accumulated that abortion damages health. The evidence for psychological damage (severe depression) is overwhelming and probably underestimates the true picture; Suicide is six times more common amongst women who have had an abortion; Miscarriage is three times more common. Female alcoholism and drug misuse, wife battering and child abuse, broken families are all to be found in those who have had an abortion. Finally, abortion is known to be a cause of infertility - possibly in association with chronic Chlamydial infection, also of tubal or ectopic pregnancy.
Perhaps one of the most striking research findings in 24 out of 30 studies over the past 15 years has been the finding that abortion appears to be a definite cause of Breast Cancer. Professor Scarisbrick stated moreover that 1,300 British women had died of Breast Cancer - directly statistically attributable to Abortion. There can be little doubt that enough evidence is now accumulating about the danger abortion poses to female health to make the. evidence used to justify measures to prevent human 'mad cow's disease' seem minuscule and yet the Department of Health still supports various groups lobbying in support of Abortion and what Pope John Paul II has referred to as the 'culture of death'. It is perhaps similar to the situation that occurred at the onset of the NHS when cigarette smoking was not only accepted but when a Government Minister apologised for the small stocks of tobacco available and counselled the population to have patience.
Professor Scarisbrick's talk was followed by questions nd general discussion and although he didn't say as much, the importance of supporting 'Life' in any way possible cannot be overestimated. His and other Pro-life organisations are at the forefront of a battle to uphold the God-given dignity of the human person on our behalf. He very ably demonstrated that the 'Gospel of 'Life" is truly a 'supreme cause of our day', a sign of the times but for rely also a sign also of contradiction.
(Membership forms for 'LIFE' may be obtained from your local 'Life group' or from - Life House, Newbold Terrace, Leamington Spa. Warks. CV32 4EA)
Bishop Regan, Professor Jack Scarisbrick and Mr Bob Leeming FRCS