Cherie Blair has been invited to speak at a major Pontifical University in Rome. Auntie Joanna write about it.
It seems likely that the organisers of this event do not know about the speaker’s strong association with Planned Parenthood. She is British and is simply well-known as a lawyer and the wife of a leading public figure. It is crucial, therefore, that the University is informed.
The speaker, Mrs Cherie Blair, hosted a major fund-raising event for Planned Parenthood at 10 Downing Street in 2003, promoting condoms for teenagers under the slogan “Lust for Life”. She honoured the 75th anniversary celebrations of Britain’s Family Planning Association – the leading campaigning movement for abortion in Britain – as the special celebrity guest, cutting the celebration cake and being photographed brandishing a condom. And no, it isn’t the case that the FPA or Planned Parenthood do other things than abortion and contraception – so she wasn’t helping them with other projects. They don’t make quilts or serve tea to the poor, or teach mathematics or help Auntie with the housework…they promote abortion and contraception: that’s what they were established to do, and that’s what they do, and when Mrs Blair raises funds for them she knows that what the funds are for.
Mrs Blair is a leading supporter of organisations working at the United Nations to promote abortion worldwide. Read about this here.
There is no reason whatever why Mrs Blair should speak at a Pontifical University. The Church can draw on many excellent women speakers with superb credentials to tackle issues concerning women’s rights and freedoms – it is absurd to invite instead some one who passionately supports organisations promoting abortion.
Father Powell, OP is currently at the Angelicum and has emailed Sr. Helen Alford, OP, asking for a little clarification
2 comments
FYI: I have not rec’d a reply from Sr. Helen. She is dean of a large school and organizer of this conference, so she is very likely overwhelmed with work. I should point out that Sr. Helen is British, so it is very unlikely that she is unaware of Ms Blair’s stands on abortion. I don’t have a problem with the invitation as such, so long as the Church’s position is made crystal clear and there is someone invited to the conference to challenge any pro-abortion positions presented. I don’ think that Ms Blair will speak on abortion. What I do not condone is inviting pro-abortion speakers to Catholic universities and giving them unassailable soapboxes from which to preach, i.e., graduation speeches, conferral of honorary degrees, etc.
Fr. Philip, OP
As a Lawyer, Cherie Blair took a case to the European Court of Human Rights of the unequal treatment of lesbians and married couples under English Law. Fortunately, she lost her case. Unfortunately, British Laws have now corrected this anomaly and past legislature which gives a homosexual union equal standing as a hetrosexual union. It follows that Cherie Blair does not follow the Churches teaching on homosexuality also.
P.Devine.