While 12 countries have eased restrictions on religious practice, double that number – 23 – have increased restrictions. Furthermore the latter countries have very large populations. This information was given in a study entitled ‘Rising restrictions on religion’, released by the Pew ResearchCentre’s Forum on Public Life.
The centre studied 33 dimensions over a three-year period between mid-2006 and mid-2009. These indicators included laws, policies and acts of hostility against people or groups. Pew said the sources “were combed only for factual information on specific policies and actions”, not for commentary or opinions. “Only about one per cent of the world’s population lives in countries where government restrictions or social hostilities declined,” the report said.
Less conscience rights in the UK?
Anna Sweeting-Hempsall, a Catholic pharmacist, said new guidelines issued by the General Pharmaceutical Council may mark the beginning of the end of respect for the conscience rights of pharmacists in the UK.
She told Catholic World News: “The new guidance makes it clear employers have the right to choose not to employ pharmacists with a conscientious objection, or to impose contractual obligations which take precedence over the rights of conscience. In other words, the conscience clause is now meaningless, and Catholic pharmacists who cannot accept being party to attacks on unborn life are virtually unemployable.”
Bishop should explain
Bishop Christopher Jones of Elphin in Ireland appealed to Bishop John Magee, former bishop of Cloyne diocese in Ireland to explain his handling of cases of sex abuse by priests. Last year, Mgr Magee resigned under pressure because of cases of sex abuse that happened in his diocese.
Recently a very critical report had been published accusing Mgr Magee of ignoring the directives of the Irish bishops and of lack of serious investigations of abuse.
Mgr Jones said that Mgr Magee had a duty to answer questions about the abuse cases that happened during his leadership of the diocese of Cloyne.
The present whereabouts of Mgr Magee are not publicly known, although many believe he is inthe US.
Is the GDP pro-family?
Ireland’s Iona Institute for Religion and Society has just published a report saying that good economic statistics do not necessarily point to a healthy society and to better quality living for families. The report uses extensively a study by Robert Patterson for Family in America: Growth with a Purpose: Why Policymakers Should Grow the Family, Not Just GDP.
The report points out that Gross Domestic Product takes into account all financial activity which in one way or another leads to economic growth; but not all such activity is beneficial to society.
Pornography and gambling are two of the examples given. Both are big industries and contribute to the economy, but it asks if this a truly beneficial contribution to a better and healthier society.
The report refers to divorce, which is also counted as evidence of economic activity, since it provides law firms and the courts with work.
The report notes that divorce brings more losses than gain.
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)