In his write-up on IVF (November 2), Fr Robert Soler wrote: “In standing by the sacredness of the human embryo, Parliament would be respecting scientific findings, reason and religious belief.”

Notice how Fr Soler ranks his arguments to make his point. First, he resorts to scientific findings; then, he appeals to reason; and finally he refers to his own subjective religious beliefs and to the dogmatic theological assertions of “St John Paul II”.

Fr Soler’s write-up is a typical example of the modus operandi of Catholic apologists. When it suits them, they try to justify their religious beliefs by appealing to the prestige of science and to the authority of reason.

When science and reason contradict their religious beliefs, they disparage science and despise reason.