My friend Carole Smith who co-ordinates the prayer vigils outside the Marie Stopes abortion provider in Maidstone Kent sent me these photographs of yesterday's (Friday) prayer vigil at which my brother Fr Stephen led prayers, after celebrating Mass in the local parish church. As mentioned elsewhere on this blog, I too led prayer vigils there as Maidstone was just 30 miles from my previous parish in South Ashford. Carole writes:
He was the main celebrant at the Mass and he gave us an honest and thorough homily on the spirituality of the Helpers. He must have touched a few hearts because a couple of the parishioners came and joined us in the rosary at the 'death camp'.
Ive copied this post to my own blog and the ACWB site, a wonderful witness, wish I could have done the same!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful people. I know Carole well, as well as others in this excellent group. I sincerely hope others in England join their ranks to witness to life. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteFr. Boyle:
ReplyDeleteI am enheartened by the photos, but I have to wonder whether you overstate the case a bit in calling Britain the world's most secular nation?. Sure, MPs in all three major parties hold Christianity in contempt, and the C of E grows increasingly anemic; but is Britain really more secular than, say, "the church's oldest daughter," France?
Obviously it's a matter of opinion. I have lived there all of my life apart from the last year and a half and am not alone in this opinion. It is difficult to compare England and France. England claims to be a Christian nation but it is not really. France is avowedly secular but its true identity is caught up with the Catholic Church. France was not affected by the Reformation in the same way as England was, and the Reformation did profound damage to the English culture. IMHO. Also, a number of American communities have gone to England to attempt a re-evangelization and have been taken aback by just how hard it is.
DeleteI do not think that England is the most secular nation in the world. The Ordinariate experience is changing the landscape in several dioceses or areas, which is a sign of life. I would suggest a tour of Europe. I just came back from Malta, where the markets were allowed to be open on Christmas Day. Many so-called Catholic countries have been secularized.
ReplyDeleteDear Father John,
ReplyDeleteWe think it is great that some people in England do care for the unborn.We would all be out with Fr Stephen if we were in England.
We can only pray and save money for SPUC and we do that.We think ABORTION IS VILE! In fact we cant express what we feel in words.No one can deny that Englands' record on Abortion is atrocious!
Yes we will pray for England there are so many nice kind people there and we agree with you on everything you say.Thank God for you cos the truth comes out!
Thanks 9A. Great you are helping SPUC, a truly wonderful organization. Yes, abortion is terrible. Let us however have compassion for those mothers who go through with it. I was struck by a banner in Washington DC held by a a pro-choice/pro-abortion demonstrator. It read: "Good women have abortions." I believe this to be true, and I know from my experience as a priest that many good women have had abortions and have repented. Sometimes they do not see any way out, and often the father of the unborn child fails to act like A MAN! So, boys, grow up to be responsible young men. Treat women with respect. Wait till after you are married before expressing intimate love. Should you, however, act irresponsibly and end up being a father before time, go to confession and stand by the child and the mother! Don't forget: hate the sin, love the sinner. God bless you all and your wonderful teachers.
DeleteWhy should Catholics think they can parade their superior morality before benighted sinners when the abuse scandal has shown the Church to be morally bankrupt and up to its neck in its own s**t? What a sick joke.
ReplyDeleteOne of the prayers most frequently said at these vigils is the Hail Mary in which we say: "pray for us sinners." We do not consider ourselves superior. We love sinners like ourselves. We hope that women will find a better option than killing their children, and that MEN WILL ACT LIKE RESPONSIBLE MEN, STICKING BY THEIR WIFE/GIRLFRIEND/WHATEVER AND THEIR UNBORN SON OR DAUGHTER. This is as much about the men as the women.
DeleteA very hollow claim when you are demonstrating against others whom you consider to be sinners. Christ had something to say about those who lay heavy burdens on others and don't lift a finger to help them bear them - like celibate clergy and women who are not having children themselves. Getting alongside women who might be considering having an abortion, entering into their dilemmas, showing them Christlike compassion is what is needed. There is a small amount of such work going on, but it is what Catholics should be doing if they are really serious about abortion. But that of course is costly and demands real self-giving. Holding rallies and praying is easy and costs nothing. You probably are not aware of how heartily sick ordinary decent people are of the hypocrisy of Catholics banging on about abortion to the exclusion of other life issues, including the life of the victims of paedophile abuse about which the Church is still in denial.
ReplyDeleteThe Church is not in denial but deeply shamed about the abuse scandal. On the abortion issue, do you know how much work the Church does in pro-life pregnancy care centres? Do you not recall how much work the Church does in developing countries in service of the sick and in promoting health care? There are countless agencies seeking to assist women and men be mothers and fathers rather than doing away with their children. If we could "get alongside" those women and men at Marie Stopes, we would. The nearest we can get is by praying for them and offering assistance. We are not "demonstrating". How can you refer to "Christlike compassion" when you condemn those who are seeking to bring Christ close? And you obviously have not listened to my previous comment when I acknowledge that we are all sinners. We do not judge. As for rallies and prayer, I don't know what you mean about cost. Time? Enduring the cold? Abuse from others?
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