Two of the UK’s top legal and medical experts have warned that suicide drugs could be available over the counter in chemists if assisted suicide is legalised, a move which the Catholic Church opposes.
National News Archives
Medical experts raise alarm on over-the-counter suicide drugs
Two of the UK’s top legal and medical experts have warned that suicide drugs could be available over the counter in chemists if assisted suicide is legalised, a move which the Catholic Church opposes. Lord Carlile QC and Baroness Finlay (above) have published a report, commissioned by the think-tank Living and... read more
Last call for retreat for those dealing with abortion
Last call for bookings for retreat-based programme that provides a safe environment for people who have been affected by abortion to talk and heal, writes Sr Andrea Fraile of the Sisters of the Gospel of Life
Rachel’s Vineyard is a retreat-based programme that provides a safe and compassionate environment in which people who have been affected by abortion—be they the parents, grandparents, healthcare workers or friends—can face the reality of what they’ve done and find a way to healing. Because of the silence that surrounds abortion, those... read more
Cardinal offers election congratulations, and commiserations
Scottish National Party wins an unprecedented overall majority in the Scottish Parliament
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has congratulated Alex Salmond after the Scottish National Party won an unprecedented overall majority in the Scottish Parliament. After a lengthy campaign, the SNP scored a huge victory in yesterday’s election becoming the first party to gain more than half the... read more
Royal vows are of Christian marriage
— Cardinal Keith O’Brien tells the SCO his hopes for new Earl and Countess, and their example
Britain’s most senior Catholic clergyman hopes the Royal wedding will increase ‘awareness of the value of marriage in our society.’ Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, joined Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and Cardinal Seán Brady of Ireland at the Royal wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Friday, which was... read more
Double honour for Scottish composer
James MacMillan asked to contribute to 60th anniversary celebration for Pope Benedict XVI and to new school on liturgical music
Renowned Scottish Catholic composer James MacMillan has been invited to participate in a project celebrating Pope Benedict XVI’s 60th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. On June 29, Pope Benedict will celebrate 60 years as a priest and Mr MacMillan has been invited to submit pages from his Tu Es Petrus,... read more
Murdered policeman’s family urges peace process support
— Ronan Kerr’s relatives urge Northern Irish voters to denounce men of violence at ballot box
The family of murdered Catholic police officer Ronan Kerr has called on all sides to back the peace process by voting in this week’s elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. A statement released by the family this week said that today’s election provided ‘our only democratic means to reaffirm our need... read more
Department of Health loses court battle over abortion
The UK Department of Health (DoH) has lost a court battle to keep secret some details on abortion statistics.
The government had challenged an information tribunal decision but the latest ruling means that data on late abortions must now be disclosed. The court case follows an application by the ProLife Alliance (PLA), for the publication of all data on abortion in England and Wales. The DoH is considering whether... read more
New UK ambassador to the Vatican
— Career diplomat and former ambassador to Bolivia, Nigel Baker, is appointed to the post
NIGEL Baker, the career diplomat, has been appointed as the UK’s new ambassador to the Vatican. The former ambassador to Bolivia—a non-Catholic—will take up the role in August, replacing Francis Campbell, the first Catholic to be appointed to the post since the Reformation, and who retired from the role at the... read more
Cardinal remains calm amidst threat
Leader of Scotland’s Catholics ‘carrying on as normal’ after news emerges of bullet threat ahead of Papal visit
Cardinal Keith O’Brien has said he is carrying on as normal after it was revealed that a live bullet had been sent to him in the post and the police had warned him to be ‘cautious’ when opening mail. The bullet was sent to the cardinal (above with Pope Benedict) ahead... read more
Celtic manager target of new bombing attempt
Two others receive parcels as prominent Catholics told to remain vigilant against sectarian bomb threat
Parcel bombs intended to kill or maim have been sent to the Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, and two other prominent fans of the club—the manager's lawyer and a senior Labour MSP. The three devices, discovered at several locations in the west of Scotland over the past month, are considered dangerous, a... read more
Social media
Latest edition
exclusively in the paper
- Lord Advocate Frank Mullholland addresses Justice Committee on anti-hate, anti-sectarian football bill
- Scottish conservative leadership candidate Ruth Davidson speaks out in favour of faith schools in Scotland
- Cardinal Keith O’Brien, Archbishop Mario Conti at Investiture Mass for Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Cardinal Keith O’Brien celebrated Mass in St Catherine’s Convent in Edinburgh for the 90th anniversary of the Legion of Mary
Previous editions
Previous editions of the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper are only available to subscribed Members. To download previous editions of the paper, please subscribe.
note: registered members only.
RSS Feeds