Use the tag cloud to the left of this post to help you make your mind up. Some tag words you might like to try are:

• Catholic Education Service
• Archbishop Vincent Nichols
• Catholic schools
• Humanae Vitae
• Connexions
• Marriage Care
• Contraception

You may also want to take a look at John Smeaton's postings on the subject.

We look forward to reading productive and relevant comments…...

 

 

We honestly don't know and are scratching our heads. It would be easier to ask what they don't have in common. That however has not prevented someone coming up with a "dream team" of Frank Skinner and the ubiquitous Jack Valero to defend celibacy in a public debate. 

The pairing of a disciple of Hans Küng with one of St. Josemaría Escrivá to defend celibacy seems a trifle odd to us. 

Let's just have a look at some of Hans Küng's public pronouncements on celibacy. 

“Compulsory celibacy is the principal reason for today’s catastrophic shortage of priests, for the fatal neglect of eucharistic celebration, and for the tragic breakdown of personal pastoral ministry in many places.” 

He also argues that there are two solutions to the shortage of priests - “Abolition of the celibacy rule, the root of all these evils, and the admission of women to ordination. The bishops know this, but they do not have the courage to say it in public.”  

Were these the views of St. Josemaría Escrivá? We think not.

Is it just us or isn't there a yawning philosophical and theological chasm separating Frank and Jack that no amount of PR will bridge? Surely there would be room for a debate between the two of them on this issue alone? 

And the Chairman of the CES is another memer of the defence team. 

But heck, who are we to comment on this - we just ain't got that 'blue sky big tent broad nuchurch vision thing'....

Keep spinning……… 

We are pleased...

Is there anything they wouldn't be pleased about?

You think I'm joking?

Here's an excerpt from the actual Catholic Education Services press release...

CESEW responds to proposals relating to Sex and Relationships Education and parental rights

Whilst disappointed that legal encumbrances mean that a blanket right of withdrawal can no longer apply, we are pleased that the Government has recognised that the right of withdrawal in formative years is most critical and is therefore providing for the ability of parents to opt-out of SRE up to the age of 15.

CESEW will continue to firmly uphold the position that parental rights remain vital, particularly but not exclusively, in those most formative and critical years up until the age of 15.

[link]

I wonder if Archbishop Nichols has anything to say on the matter?

Thought not.

Parents. Betrayed. Again.