Observatory in the News: Headlines & Links
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Oxford College Regrets Hosting a Christian Event
The Wilberforce Academy (Christian seminar) has been holding its courses in different Oxford colleges for many years. But this year, the Worcester College, where the seminar was taking place, apologized for having hosted this event "that caused significant distress" as it was published in the student newspaper "The Tab".
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New Law in Spain Plans to Publicly Publish List of Medical Staff Who Object Abortion
The Spanish Ministry of Equality is planning to create a registry of medical doctors, nurses, and staff who object abortion on the grounds of conscientious objection. The intended registry is part of a reform of the abortion law in Spain, passed in 2010. The argument for the proposal is to be able to guarantee the “right to terminate pregnancies” in public hospitals, as in many hospitals abortions are not performed, given the conscientious objections of the staff. Many bishops and experts are strongly criticizing this registry, as such a list can cause discrimination and harm freedom of expression, as well as freedom of conscience.
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Arson at St. Remy's Church
In the night of 4 October, the church of Saint-Rémy in the centre of Ottignies fell victim to arson. A carpet, a chair and a panel were set on fire. The incident was quickly brought under control by alerted firefighters. Shortly after the incident, Ottigines police checked a laundromat located in the neighbourhood. There, an intoxicated suspect was identified and arrested. At the time of his arrest, the man born in 1987 and of no known address was in possession of a box of matches. The man, who already had a criminal record, will be brought before the criminal court as part of an accelerated procedure.
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UNIVERSITY OF EXETER CONDEMNS DEATH THREATS AGAINST STUDENTS OF PRO-LIFE ASSOCIATION
The pro-life student "Life Society" association from the University of Exeter was the target of a hate campaign aimed to dissolve the group and its activity at the university. A petition among students and an open letter addressed to the university's Students Guild was sent to stop the pro-life group. Additionally, the group got harassed on social media. An online hate campaign was coordinated, to send them negative comments and even death threats, which were reported to the police. Fortunately, the University of Exeter defended the Pro-Life Association and supported their right to freedom of speech.
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Increase in Thefts of Consecrated Hosts in the Days Leading Up to Halloween
According to a report by ABC, the theft of consecrated Hosts in Spain has been a yearly phenomenon that occurs with special emphasis in the days leading up to halloween. The fathers recall finding the churches damaged after the hosts were stolen. This has happened in different churches for the last 10 years. Famed Spanish exorcist Fr. José Antonio Fortea reported that desecrations are taking place in many dioceses, but "the media do not usually report it". Many priests also fail to report such thefts, fearing that going public would have a "domino effect". Although these desecrating incidents happen annually, the police has not put up any preventive safety measures.
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