* Pro-lifers in New Brunswick have asked the Premier to place the question of funding for abortion on a referendum ballot in May of next year. Peter Ryan, president of Campaign Life Coalition stated that the only place in Canada where such a question was asked of citizens was in Saskatchewan. There, 66 percent of voters were against provincial funding. (New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, June 12)
* Reuters reports that the Maltese government and the Mediterranean island’s Catholic bishops reacted angrily on Wednesday to plans by the Dutch abortionist Rebecca Gomperts and Catholics for a Free Choice, to set up a ship to do abortions in international waters. Malta Social Policy Minister, Lawrence Gonzi, said in radio interviews the plan was “horrendous.’’ He said that although the abortions would not be carried out in Malta, criminal action would be taken against anyone organizing or helping to arrange the abortions. The bishops issued a statement calling on the government and all those responsible to ensure that no one had anything to do with these “heinous murders.’’ (Pro-Life Infonet)
* Homosexual activists in Australia, challenging Catholic teaching on homosexuality, tried to receive Holy Communion from the Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop George Pell. This is the ninth time in three years that the activist group, called the Rainbow Sash Movement, has staged the affront to Catholic teaching and sacraments. The archbishop told the activists that the Church’s stand against homosexuality will never change.