Recent Catholic News

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Robert Langer, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is claiming to have coaxed human embryonic stem cells into becoming blood vessels. Scientists argue that the finding is a major step since the research may lead to the use of embryonic stem cells to repair ailing hearts or fix blocked arteries. As scientists labour furiously to show some value to the use of embryonic stem cells, many scientists continue to point to the already proven superior quality and quantity of adult stem cells. However, pro-life experts emphasize that despite any benefits that might […]

LONDON, March 26, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Only one day after international media were reporting on a study linking the birth control pill to breast cancer, another study has shown a link between use of the pill and cervical cancer. The Lancet medical journal carries a study which found that long-term use of the pill could increase the risk of developing cervical cancer by up to four times in women with a sexually transmitted disease. Eight studies involving nearly four thousand women were examined by researchers at the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The study found that HPV positive women […]

SASKATOON, March 26, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Carol Skelton, Official Opposition Critic for Human Resource Development was shocked to learn that government resources are being used to find employment for erotic actresses/models. The HRD job postings website was found to contain an advertisement looking for people to act in erotic videos. “This is one more example of the complete and utter lack of competence of the part of the Minister, Jane Stewart,” stated Skelton. “To use a government website as a recruiting tool for erotic video actors is objectionable.” While the offensive job posting was removed following complaints from the public, […]

HEROIC IRISH PRO-LIFE JUDGE DIES SPUC UK reports that Mr Justice Rory O’Hanlon, a former Irish high court judge and a well-respected pro-lifer, has died at the age of 79. He never wavered in his pro-life stance, and was dismissed from office by Albert Reynolds, the Taoiseach, in 1992 when he said that Ireland should leave the European Union if continued membership would lead to the introduction of abortion in Ireland. Mr O’Hanlon had advocated a No vote in the recent abortion referendum and, in an article for the Irish Times newspaper, he wrote: “…I look forward to seeing it […]

VANCOUVER, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Catholic parents across Canada have long struggled with the issue of sex-education programs in Catholic schools. Two of the texts most commonly used in Canadian Catholic schools, “Fully Alive” and “Growing in Love”, have come under intense criticism by concerned Catholic parents for their controversial presentation of human sexuality even to very young children. However, a breakthrough in the struggle has occurred for the first time in a Canadian diocese. Archbishop Adam Exner of the Diocese of Vancouver has announced that his diocese will leave parents in charge of educating their children on sexual […]

OTTAWA, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Three of the most prominent Canadian Alliance social conservatives have been removed from their senior staff positions within the Opposition Leader’s Office. Incoming Leader Stephen Harper disappointed social conservatives when he removed: – Mark Cameron, a policy advisor in the Opposition Leader’s Office – Chris Champion, from the Alliance research department and – Deborah Gyapong from Communications Sun Media suggests that four members of the Leader’s office were let go due to their ties with former Leader Stockwell Day. See the Sun Media coverage:  http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSPolitics0203/23_harper-sun.html

Clement and Witmer Sink Any Hope of Flaherty Win on Next Ballot. TORONTO, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Ernie Eves, won the Ontario Conservative Leadership Saturday with 54.7% of the vote on the second ballot. His closest opponent, finance minister Jim Flaherty, the choice of social conservatives, garnered a significant 38.6%. Eves emphasized his intention to shift the ‘Conservative’ party to the left of the political spectrum by appointing Elizabeth Witmer as his deputy premier. Soon after the first ballot, candidate Tony Clement surprised and disappointed conservatives in the party by suddenly throwing his support to the socially liberal Eves […]

TORONTO, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The President of the Canadian Auto Workers union has raised the specter of dragging a Catholic school board through the Human Rights Commission over its decision to forbid a male student from bring his homosexual “boyfriend” to a school prom. The open letter endorsed by the Auto Workers union National Executive Board, and signed by CAW President Basil ‘Buzz’ Hargrove, describes the union’s pro-homosexual activism. The letter, addressed to Michael Powers, principal of Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School in Oshawa where the controversy occurred, explained the actions of the CAW noting: “We are […]

PORTLAND, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – In a one-day hearing Friday, U.S. District Judge Robert Jones heard arguments for and against the Bush Administration’s measure to end the practice of legal physician assisted suicide in the state of Oregon. Lawyers for the state argued that since voters approved the measure, the federal government should not be allowed to stop the practice. However, federal government attorneys argued that the Controlled Substances Act puts the federal government in charge of enforcing drug laws. Thus, Attorney General John Ashcroft’s directive to disallow the use of the drugs for lethal cocktails was legitimate. Under […]

RANDOR, PA, March 25, 2002 (LSN.ca) – Singing superstar Celine Dion has called her frozen embryo, created during an in vitro fertilization procedure, a “little baby.” Speaking recently at the taping of an upcoming TV special, Dion told reporters she was planning on having another child. “We have a little baby waiting for us,” she said. “A frozen embryo. For sure we’re going to go for it.” See the AP coverage:  http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020325/ap_on_en_mu/celine_dion_3