Menu
15/03/2005
Cardinal supports Howard on abortion view
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, Head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, has openly supported Conservative leader Michael Howard's personal stance on abortion.
The Archbishop of Westminster welcomed Mr Howard's opinion that the legal time limit for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks. The current limit is 24 weeks.
Cardinal O'Connor issued a statement in which he described abortion as a "key issue". It stated: "The policy supported by Mr Howard is one that we would also commend, on the way to a full abandonment of abortion."
However, Cardinal O'Connor said that he would not recommend one particular political party for Catholics to vote for.
Mr Howard had given an interview to Cosmopolitan magazine in which he said that it was his personal opinion that the legal limit for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy also gave interviews to Cosmopolitan. Mr Blair said that the government had "no plans" to change the legal limit, although he admitted that the debate on the subject would continue. Mr Kennedy said that although he had previously supported a decision to reduce the limit to 22 weeks, he "did not know" what he would to do now, due to advances made in medicine.
The anti-abortion group, the Po-Life Alliance, has welcomed Mr Howard's comments. A spokesperson said: "We congratulate Mr Howard on his new stance even if the proposal is not absolute. He expresses concerns, which are being voiced more and more by the general public in relationship to late abortion, and he then goes on to offer real solutions. Tony Blair, on the other hand, is claiming to be equally concerned but not prepared to do anything about it. It is well known that he voted for abortion up to birth in 1990, so his much-vaunted personal dislike of killing the unborn has never translated into anything positive. Quite the contrary."
The Family Planning Association have reportedly criticised a proposed reduction in the legal limit, questioning the benefits of "forcing" a woman to have a baby.
(KMcA/SP)
The Archbishop of Westminster welcomed Mr Howard's opinion that the legal time limit for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks. The current limit is 24 weeks.
Cardinal O'Connor issued a statement in which he described abortion as a "key issue". It stated: "The policy supported by Mr Howard is one that we would also commend, on the way to a full abandonment of abortion."
However, Cardinal O'Connor said that he would not recommend one particular political party for Catholics to vote for.
Mr Howard had given an interview to Cosmopolitan magazine in which he said that it was his personal opinion that the legal limit for abortions should be reduced to 20 weeks.
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy also gave interviews to Cosmopolitan. Mr Blair said that the government had "no plans" to change the legal limit, although he admitted that the debate on the subject would continue. Mr Kennedy said that although he had previously supported a decision to reduce the limit to 22 weeks, he "did not know" what he would to do now, due to advances made in medicine.
The anti-abortion group, the Po-Life Alliance, has welcomed Mr Howard's comments. A spokesperson said: "We congratulate Mr Howard on his new stance even if the proposal is not absolute. He expresses concerns, which are being voiced more and more by the general public in relationship to late abortion, and he then goes on to offer real solutions. Tony Blair, on the other hand, is claiming to be equally concerned but not prepared to do anything about it. It is well known that he voted for abortion up to birth in 1990, so his much-vaunted personal dislike of killing the unborn has never translated into anything positive. Quite the contrary."
The Family Planning Association have reportedly criticised a proposed reduction in the legal limit, questioning the benefits of "forcing" a woman to have a baby.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 July 2015
Airports Commission Supports Third Heathrow Runway
The Airports Commission has voiced its support for a third runway at Heathrow. In its report, it said the expansion would add a further £147bn in economic growth, and create 70,000 jobs by 2050. It would also provide around 40 new destinations for Britain.
Airports Commission Supports Third Heathrow Runway
The Airports Commission has voiced its support for a third runway at Heathrow. In its report, it said the expansion would add a further £147bn in economic growth, and create 70,000 jobs by 2050. It would also provide around 40 new destinations for Britain.
24 June 2014
Public Warned 'Not To Approach' Mental Health Escapee
Police are warning the public not to approach a patient who fled from Homerton mental health facility on Saturday. Anthony Knowles, 48, disappeared from the Jon Howard Centre in Homerton. Knowles is described as 5ft 8 inches with a "noticeable limp". He has tattoos on both arms and a scar on his left eyelid.
Public Warned 'Not To Approach' Mental Health Escapee
Police are warning the public not to approach a patient who fled from Homerton mental health facility on Saturday. Anthony Knowles, 48, disappeared from the Jon Howard Centre in Homerton. Knowles is described as 5ft 8 inches with a "noticeable limp". He has tattoos on both arms and a scar on his left eyelid.
15 March 2011
Man Found Murdered In Hammersmith
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a man in Hammersmith on Friday. Police were alerted to a man unconscious in the forecourt area of Sulgrave Gardens in west London at around 7.40pm on Friday 11 March. The 29-year-old man was found suffering injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Man Found Murdered In Hammersmith
A murder investigation is underway following the death of a man in Hammersmith on Friday. Police were alerted to a man unconscious in the forecourt area of Sulgrave Gardens in west London at around 7.40pm on Friday 11 March. The 29-year-old man was found suffering injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
25 March 2005
Flight sacked from Conservative party
Conservative leader Michael Howard has announced that the party whip is to be withdrawn from Howard Flight. Michael Howard issued a statement, which said: "We will be totally straight with the British people. We will not say one thing in private and another thing in public. Everyone in my party has to sign up to that. If not, they're out.
Flight sacked from Conservative party
Conservative leader Michael Howard has announced that the party whip is to be withdrawn from Howard Flight. Michael Howard issued a statement, which said: "We will be totally straight with the British people. We will not say one thing in private and another thing in public. Everyone in my party has to sign up to that. If not, they're out.
09 October 2003
Four die in Liverpool's 'worst crash this year'
Four people were killed last night in what emergency services have described as "one of the worst road crashes seen in Liverpool this year". The victims, who were all in their 60s, were travelling in a silver Vauxhall Corsa which smashed through metal barriers on Great Howard Street and landed on its roof in a ditch created by roadworks.
Four die in Liverpool's 'worst crash this year'
Four people were killed last night in what emergency services have described as "one of the worst road crashes seen in Liverpool this year". The victims, who were all in their 60s, were travelling in a silver Vauxhall Corsa which smashed through metal barriers on Great Howard Street and landed on its roof in a ditch created by roadworks.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
