Bits 'n' Pieces

Canada

Following the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties merger on Dec. 6, former Tory leadership hopeful Scott Brison bolts to the Liberal party. Brison, who is gay, said that the Conservative party had moved "too far right" on social issues ... The Toronto Sun reports that Prime Minister Paul Martin may be preparing to challenge at least 23 sitting Liberal MPs for their party's nomination. The list includes pro-life stalwarts such as Clifford Lincoln, Paul Szabo and Rose Marie Ur, and pro-abortion advocates such as Jean Augustine, Sheila Copps and Hedy Fry ... Ontario Attorney-General Michael Bryant submits a brief to the Supreme Court in favour of legalizing same-sex marriage, in the federal government's referral of the issue. A decision is expected early this year ... Cardinal Aloysius Ambrozic congratulates the work of pro-lifers in his December Archdiocese of Toronto newsletter: "(Thanks to) all those active in the cause of life for their work in defending the unborn, in supporting fearful, poor, young, or harassed mothers, and in standing for the protection of all human life, from conception until natural death, in the legal and political arenas."

International

Taiwan is considering banning sex-selection abortions ... South Africa is considering liberalizing its already-liberal abortion laws with the tabling of a draft Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill, which would allow nurses to commit abortions ... Human Life International activist Kevin O'Niel is arrested in London, England for showing posters of aborted babies. While no charges are laid, police threaten action if the photographs are publicized ... France approves a law granting the unborn child protection from death caused by negligence or recklessness. Feminist lawyer Gisele Halimi condemns the change, because legislators are "introducing into our law a new concept that gives fetuses a legal personality" ... The Vatican releases a five-page document marking World AIDS Day (Nov. 30). It urges international organizations and governments to "promote campaigns to sensitize and educate people (about HIV/AIDS) - based not on policies which feed immoral and hedonistic ways of life, which in turn favour the spread of the evil, but instead based on those reliable criteria and authentic human and spiritual values on which one can base a relevant education of prevention, one in favour of the culture of life and of responsible love" ... Bishop Raymond Burke of La Crosse, Wis., who was recently appointed the new archbishop of St. Louis, Mo. by Pope John Paul II, has warned Catholic pro-abortion politicians that by voting against life they have put themselves outside of communion with their church: "They can't promote any legislation which would either continue or worsen the anti-life practices."

Euthanasia

According to official reports, in the first year of legalized euthanasia in Belgium, 203 people had their lives taken. Scientific Organization for Flemish GPs says doctors may not be as open to euthanasia as the law permits: "The fact that patients can decide to end their lives, under the strict conditions laid down in the law, demands a change in attitude from many doctors" ... The Nursing Times of England reports that a survey of 2,700 nurses finds one-third of them believe assisted suicide should be legal and one-quarter said that they had already been asked by patients for assisted suicide. The Royal College of Nursing reacted to the survey, saying, "We don't think it's the right time for a change in the euthanasia laws. Some countries which do have laws, like Holland, seem to be having difficulties in how they are being managed."

Reprotech