The Prayer Rally outside the Houses of Parliament tonight was a moving witness to the Christian faith. Led by a series of evangelical preachers using unerringly appropriate quotations from the Holy Scriptures, it was a stirring opportunity to proclaim the Gospel.
The Rally took place during the debate in the House of Lords over the Sexual Orientations Regulations. In the order of business for the House of Lords was the following:Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 Baroness Andrews to move that the draft Regulations laid before the House on 13 March be approved. 12th Report from the Statutory Instruments Committee and 14th Report from the Merits CommitteeBaroness O'Caithain introduced the following amendment:
to move, as an amendment to the above motion, to leave out all the words after “that” and insert “this House, having regard to the widespread concerns that the draft Regulations compromise religious liberty and will result in litigation over the content of classroom teaching, and having regard to the legality of the equivalent regulations for Northern Ireland, declines to approve the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.”
During the debate, Baroness O'Caithain said that she believed the SORs to be seriously flawed. She drew attention to the now notorious failure of the Government to allow proper parliamentary scrutiny of the regulations. The House of Commons had no opportunity to debate them except in a last-minute Committee. The approval of the regulations on Monday night was marked by a series of points of order protesting about the abuse of democratic procedure. Baroness O'Caithain said:"This surely is not acceptable. The government is rushing headlong into the incredibly sensitive area of a clash between gay rights and religious freedom and doing so by secondary legislation that does not allow for amendments and permits only very limited debate."Sadly but not surprisingly, the amendment was defeated by 168 votes to 122.
Tonight's rally was organised by the Lawyers Christian Fellowship and Christian Concern for our Nation. Andrea Minichiello Williams has kept us all informed by comprehensive and informative emails. It was good to see her tonight and to thank her for her work.I am pleased to say that there were some Catholics although very much in the minority. The Latin Mass Society, the National Association of Catholic Families, the Faith Movement, (and of course, the parish of Our Lady of the Rosary Blackfen) were represented. Apart from myself, priests attending included Fr James Clark (pictured), Fr Mark Swires, Fr John Boyle and Fr Dermot Fenlon.
It was all very evangelical in tone and it was fun to shout "Amen" at various points, as well as enjoying a little fun with the trad Catholics who were there, suggesting other interjections such as "miserere nobis" and "laus tibi Domine" when the un-Lenten alleluias were being shouted. During the various "prayer points" we managed to say the five sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary and added a number of Catholic prayers at the times of spontaneous prayer. It was really ecumenism at its best. After the final hymn, we stuck up a chorus of "Christus Vincit" emphasising the importance of the social Kingship of Jesus Christ.
A few of the younger Catholics got together afterwards with some of the clergy at the Albert pub in Victoria Street. The picture below includes a rare shot of the Mulier Fortis (tapping smartphone) as several of us attempted to use various bits of technology to get any news there might be of the progress of matters in the House of Lords.
27 comments:
I watched a substantial part of the debate in the House of Lords (on the parliamentary website - an excellent live service).
The debate was of a high standard and conducted generally very politely. Lord Lester got a bit of barracking but that was because he was going on a bit.
It should be noted that the main support for the 'wrecking' amendment came from those who asked for more time for reflection or consideration of the details. There was very little outright opposition to the principle of the regulations.
There were powerful speeches in favour of the regulations from Lord Smith and Lord Alli. The latter said that the demonstrations outside Parliament appeared to have children as young as six holding placards of homophobic abuse - thus, he said, confirming the need for the regulations.
Perhaps the most persuasive speech came from Lady Howarth who, speaking as a Christian woman, said that she found nothing incompatible with her Christan faith in the regulations but rather that the regulations were entirely consistent with Christian principles.
The wrecking amendment was defeated by 168-122. In that vote it must be remembered that most of those supporting the amendment were merely asking for more time for reflection.
The regulations were then approved without a division.
The House of Commons had earlier approved the regulations by 310-100 - and again a lot of the anti votes were people merely unhappy with the procedure.
Parliament has spoken - and has spoken to accept gay people with respect compassion and sensitivity and to avoid every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard.
I found it particularly poignant when everyone was united in singular voice in response to the Evangelical speaker when he said 'let us pray as Jesus taught us....' and the Our Father followed loudly and clearly.
Couldn't see any Bishops, but I'm sure they were there somewhere, in spirit maybe?
Despite depravity now being enshrined in English Law, this is not a defeat in any sense of the word. God's plan is hidden from view (again!) but there is nothing bad that God allows to happen from which a greater good doesn't spring-up later.
Oh yes - where were the Bishops, oops I think I've asked that already. I'm sure they have a cunning plan.
Christus Rei.
Well done to you all! & Go Fr Dermot!
The picture below includes a rare shot of the Mulier Fortis
I'm going to get you for that...
...be afraid... be very afraid!
Thankyou for the report - lots of us were praying even though we weren't there ourselves and it is some consolation to know that it was a lively witness. What happens next? A Catholic school/priest/business/adoption agency/abortion counsellor facing prosecution for practising the truth. Did we just officially became the first Western Democracy to make it illegal to preach Christianity ?
Is that Fr Terry Martin from Crawley/Bognor in the pub?
I notice only three Church of England bishops were concerned enough to turn up and vote for the amendment. The ever-obliging retired Bishop of Oxford voted against.
Alnwickian - we brought along our parish flag and were politely asked to put it away as they had decided to have no banners. Lord Alli seems to have fallen prey to a terminological inexactitude. If he felt the need to invent stories of 6 year olds and homophobic abuse, perhaps his other arguments lacked cogency.
Were the SORs simply saying that there should be no unjust discrimination against homosexuals, we would not have been out there freezing.
(Anon - no that was not Fr Terry Martin in the pub)
Perhaps we know now why they had the rule about no banners!
Reflecting on last night it was obviously good that we had a Catholic contingent there but I find myself wondering why it is that there wasn't any organised opposition by Catholic groups. Any ideas?
Nice to have met some new people last night, but a shame I didn't have time to join you all for the pub social afterwards.
I travelled with my wife and one of our sons to London for the Rally. We did not know anyone and could not identify any catholic group so we stood among the evanglicals. I must say it was a wonderful ecumenical experience. When we broke into groups there were prayers being offered by experienced people who had the group prayer thing off really well. I was surprised swhen my wife, a solid Irish Traditional Catholic suddenly started leading the group with her prayers to which she recieved Alleluias, "Prsie to God", and murmurs of approval. I was too wary and just joined in once. I thought the Evangelicals were terrific. They socked it to us as things were and as one speaker said it is not love that stops you correcting your neighbour when he is in the wrong, if you loved him you would be ready to do so. I enjoyed the hymn singing also. But one thing that had drawn me to the meeting was the chance to meet our celbrated blogger Fr. Tim Finnegan. I put it down as a hopeless cause since it got dark very quickly. But just as the meeting ended I heard the singing of `Christus Vincit......." and tunred to my wife and said "Hey, there are catholics here. We went over too the right where the singing had come from and saw a lady and gentleman standing together. We exchanged words about the evening and I noticed the clerical collar. "And you are Father......?" Back came the magic words "Father Tim Finnegan" I turned to my wife in excitement "Father Tim Finnega!" My journey had not been in vain. But God moves in mysterious ways. This morning I got a phone call from my son in London. He had been looking for a house and had found one in Blackfen Road. Further enquiries revealed that it was lesws that ten minutes walk from Fr Tims`s Church. Now is this a blessing or a cross for poor Fr Tim? Only time will tell as the Kearney family make more than their usual trips to LOndon. Good luck, Fr Tim.
Great to know one of our own Birmingham Oratorians was out in force. I've always wondered what Father Dermot gets up to when not hearing confessions...
Alnwickian - As I`m sure you know.... it is already a Christian imperative to treat our fellow gay human beings with the respect and love they deserve. Now that they can be assured of every unjust discrimination in their regard being legislated for, lots of us in another minority who have had OUR right to the same treatment totally trampled on by that minority would like to see a bit of respect for OUR truth.
Parliament might have spoken but it hasn`t had the last word.
There was a wonderful atmosphere last night and praying the Rosary with Fr Tim made me feel so proud to be Catholic and not one of the other Christian denominations.
The one thing that hit home was the preacher who kept repeating that the Church needs to wake up. Persecution of the Church often wakes its members up - well we're going to have that now!!!
Angels and Saints protect our Catholic Schools. Enshrine them with the truth.
Alnwickian - are you from this planet?
John (Kearney) - thanks very much for your kind comment. It was great to see you and Mrs Kearney.
Yes, Blackfen Road is just round the corner. I look forward to seeing your son. God bless.
george -
Yes I am from this planet!
I assume your comment was meant to be jocular rather than offensive.
I am sufficiently from this planet that I watched the House of Lords debate last night (and caught up on the bits I missed last night in Hansard today).
I have also read the SORs.
I have also read para. 2358 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Those three sources seem to me to be saying much the same thing...
I have also read the account in Hansard. Your assertion that there waw very little outright opposition to the principle of the regulations is not borne out by the text. There was plenty of opposition to the principles of the Regulations and the "trumping" of religous rights by homosexual rights.
Do you really think that the SORs are consistent with the statement in CCC 2358 that the homosexual inclination is objectively disordered?
Has anyone read this press release from Ekklesia about the SOR demonstration? http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/4908
I think it seems grossly unfair and inaccurate, particularly the following quotation below,
"Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall, was at the protest.
He told PinkNews.co.uk: "It’s regrettable that the Metropolitan Police were willing to allow placards bearing overt homophobia to be displayed.
"What was even more shocking was that a hundred small children had been dragged out of school and some were forced to carry anti-gay placards too."
Placards were not allowed, the protest was after school time and I didn't see many children! Are they talking about a different protest? I'm thinking of writing a letter or email to them about this but wondered if a coordinated approach might be better? Any suggestions?
Katrina for all I know, some protest may have been made earlier in the day. But I have no evidence of it. I'd be interested to see any photos if such a protest happened because it would illustrate what is counted as "homophobic."
Oh - I see. Alnwickian is obviously taking his Catechism stuff out of context. He's proclaiming the 'accept them with respect, compassion and sensitivity bit'(which incidentally the Stonewall 'type' homosexual rejects out of hand), while choosing to ignore the bit where Catechsim 2357-2359 states that 'basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of GRAVE DEPRAVITY, Tradition has always declared that 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered' etc...
Alnwickian, I have every sympathy with and would support and pray for any homosexual who struggles with these disordered tendencies. Similarly I would try to help and pray for anyone struggling with problems involving promiscuity in a heterosexual relationship. Both are wrong.
Fraternal correction is the Christian thing to do. Fudging words and being 'woolly' just so as not to upset anyone or make things easy is not helpful.
Our role model is Jesus Christ. If we follow in His footsteps we say yes to change and try (usually again and again) to turn our backs on sin.
Turn at least one eye to the spiritual to see what is going on around you. Find a good, holy spiritual director.
Katrina - I was there and did not see any children or adults for that matter with placards. What do you expect from 'Pinknews'. Lies and more lies. Let them get on with it. In a generation or two the homosexuals will not exist - why?, because their depraved acts and lifestyle are contrary to producing children on the one hand, and the STD's, HIV and AIDS as well as suicide and extreme violence within the homosexual community will see off their tiny numbers.
There was a protest in the morning (About 11am) and there were some very young children there, some holding banners. Lord Alli's comments were perfectly correct.
Alnwickian you misunderstand the intention of the amendment I think. It was the best chance of stopping the amendments all together which is the underlying intention.
Catholics have raised the adoption issue but it is better to use my own job as an illustration of the absurdity of the law. As a lobbyist, this law forces me to lobby for homosexual rights because it would be seen that I'd provide a service for heterosexuals (even though no pro-heterosexual groups exist). Yet legally I am entitled to refuse absolutely anything else (I could refuse to lobby for toilet paper maunfacturers if I wanted to). Yet I can no longer refuse to lobby for gay rights.
What's distressing is that Christians could have won tonight. But yet again our lack of professionalism has let us down. A proper lobbying campaign (not one which merely consists of targeting favourable politicians and waving placards outside Parliament) could have won this with room to spare.
I do feel sorry for Catholic mothers in dire situations wanting to give up their child to the family of their choice. No longer are they permitted this.
I'd also like to know how the Government justifies the legal exemptions to the General Synod, to Parliament, to the Queen and, most oddly of all, to the Immigration service.
Did we just officially became the first Western Democracy to make it illegal to preach Christianity ?
Heck no! the Canadians are waaay ahead of y'all.
Anonymous - sounds like you have a conscience, a very rare commodity for a professional lobbyist! Good comment - thanks. It should be a 'wake up' call to us.
Do we have a Christian lobby group in the UK - patently not, otherwise as Anonymous says ...'we could have won the day with room to spare'!
Where are we going so wrong in NOT getting the Christian message out effectively? In fact the track record over recent history is really pretty dismal and the media are having a feast at our expense for all the wrong reasons.
How come 12 relatively ignorant men 2000 years ago (no offence meant, and I beg forgiveness from our holy apostles) conveyed the message of Jesus Christ right around the globe. The world was as pagan and hostile then as it is today. These guys had no 'spin doctors', no mobile phones, lap-tops with wireless web connections, fast cars, TV coverage, international flights etc..., and yet they were incredibly effective.
Anonymous - you should start a Christian lobby group, you'd have my support.
Hey - how come I didn't know about this pub reunion afterwards :( I had no idea there were so many of us there. And I didn't hear the Christus Vincit, even though I stayed to the end. Never mind! Well done, all, for turning out. I think we need to pray, now, for a spirit of non-compromise. As Fr Tim says, it will get us nowhere to negotiate with the government. Let our schools and adoption agencies stand by our faith, and be prepared to take the consequences.
Father: Even though you "lost" the Church won in that so many turned out. I'm so happy to see Catholics speaking up and out via prayer vigils these days rather then just sitting back and saying "oh well".
Thank you for keeping us informed on this issue. God Bless You for your witness.
Fr. Tim,
When you think of how big the whole “justice and peace” infrastructure in the English Catholicism is—from the parish groups to the committees and departments in the diocesan curias and the bishops’ conference—it’s astonishing that this supposedly campaigning branch of the Church was so passive in the face of the SORs, which are such an immense injustice against Catholics.
Seen from my side of the Pond, recent events have shown just how flawed the whole “justice and peace” slant to English Catholicism really is. As well as being spiritually reductionist, it is so politicised in its outlook as to be indistinguishable from secular humanism.
As a consequence, the “justice and peace” approach to Catholicism prevents people from being able to tell the difference between the need to fight genuine injustices and the equally important need to fight immorality. Which is why Ruth Kelly was able to salve her conscience and say she was “proud” of the new legislation.
The Basil Hume era of increasing rapprochement between mainstream Britain and the Catholic Church is now dead. But that’s not a totally bad thing, as it may yet stop English Catholicism from going the way of Anglicanism. I am reminded of the conversation over lunch between Pope John Paul and Cormac Murphy-O’Connor in which the latter opined that the Catholic Church in the UK could do with “a little persecution.” I understand that there was a wry smile on the Pope’s face as he repeated the words “a little persecution,” as if to say “Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”
Post a Comment