Women wearing caps that symbolise the French Republic take part in the protest in Paris against a government plan to let single women and lesbians become pregnant with fertility treatments. Photo: AFP/Azerbaycan24.com French protesters march against controversial bioethics bill
Debate began on a bioethics bill in the French Senate last week after tens of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris to protest state funding for medically assisted procreation for lesbian couples and single women.
“A child is a gift to be received, not an order to be manufactured. The absence of a father is an injury that can be suffered, but it is monstrous to inflict it on purpose,” Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit said in a statement ahead of the protest last Sunday.
Critics of the bill have highlighted several bioethical questions surrounding in vitro fertilisation, including preimplantation diagnoses, embryo storage, anonymous sperm donation, and the creation of so-called “saviour siblings” – embryos created via in vitro fertilization for the use of the stem cells in their umbilical blood to treat a sick older sibling.
Taiwan president writes to Pope about China’s abuse of power
Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen has written to Pope Francis describing China’s aggression and persecution of religion as “obstacles to peace”, and detailing the Communist regime’s “abuses of power”.
“The crux of the issue is that China refuses to relinquish its desire to dominate Taiwan. It continues to undermine Taiwan’s democracy, freedom and human rights with threats of military force and the implementation of disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks and diplomatic manoeuvres,” Tsai wrote in a letter to the Pope published by her office on January 21.
Tsai sent the letter in response to Pope Francis’ message for the 2020 World Day of Peace, the Pope’s annual letter sent to all foreign ministers around the world to mark the new year.
Majority of American adults support restrictions on abortion
Seven in 10 American adults support “significant” restrictions on abortion, according to a new poll released in advance of the annual March for Life.
Conducted by the Marist Poll at Marist College under the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus, the survey of 1,237 adults showed that the respondents would welcome limits on abortions so that it can be performed only during the first three months of pregnancy.
Notably, 47% of pro-choice respondents favoured restrictions while 98% of pro-life respondents felt the same way.
Priest appeals for shelters for Philippine volcano victims
A Catholic priest has appealed for more and better shelters for victims of a volcanic eruption in the Philippines after criticising a local government response.
Ucanews.org reported that authorities in Tagaytay, located near the erupting Taal volcano, announced they had set up private spaces for couples to be intimate.
Inside the rooms, where couples can spend hours together after securing permission from authorities, is a mattress and bottled water.
Priest files complaint after receiving death threats
A Catholic priest helping to feed and shelter migrants in Central America has filed a complaint with Guatemalan authorities after he and his staff received death threats for providing humanitarian aid for the latest mass of migrants headed toward the United States.
Fr Mauro Verzeletti said via WhatsApp audio that he’s under 24-hour protection issued by Guatemalan authorities after receiving threats in mid-January.
Fr Verzeletti has been a vociferous critic of US immigration policy involving Central America, including with Guatemala’s former president Jimmy Morales, who struck a deal with US President Donald Trump to designate Guatemala a “safe third country”, meaning that migrants who pass through Guatemala headed north must first seek asylum there instead of heading to the US.