Designed for Rapid Reading – short reports with links – updated @ 9.15 am
Religious hatred law takes effect
BBC – A new law designed to reduce sectarian behaviour associated with football comes into force in Scotland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-17214369
Welfare bill passes Lords hurdle
BBC – The UK government’s controversial Welfare Reform Bill passes its final hurdle in the Lords, as MPs warn on the independence of disabled people.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17204301
Archbishop’s sermon may cost him a place in The Sun
Independent – Diary – I hear from someone in a position to know that Lambeth Palace is not pleased with the unusual “Sunday Service” delivered by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, in a column in The Sun on Sunday. Normally, the Church of England is glad to get its message to as wide an audience as it can, and the newspaper’s circulation is way bigger than the biggest congregation that ever packed York Cathedral. And the Archbishop will make no material gain from the column, because all money received is pledged to go straight to charity. What has not gone down well, apparently, is the peculiar mix of faith and product placement. “Ours is a God of second opportunities,” the Archbishop wrote. “With that in mind, live in hope, free from fear, and embrace every day God puts before you in confidence. And if you can buy The Sun seven days a week, even better!”
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/diary/diary-archbishops-sermon-may-cost-him-a-place-in-the-sun-7462454.html
Ann Widdecombe: let the people decide on marriage
The Christian Institute – David Cameron should ask the public for their view on redefining marriage before ploughing ahead with “the most fundamental change to society in centuries”, Ann Widdecombe has said. The former MP said if the Prime Minister “insists on pushing ahead” with the change then there should be a referendum on the issue.
http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ann-widdecombe-let-the-people-decide-on-marriage/
Midwives must take charge of abortion says court
John Smeaton of SPUC – Judgment was handed down today in the case of two senior midwives from Glasgow who have a conscientious objection to abortion. The midwives have been told that they must accept the decision of their hospital management that they must oversee other midwives performing abortions on the labour ward. Lady Smith, sitting in the Court of Session in Edinburgh, ruled that the senior midwives’ role is not covered by the conscience clause in the Abortion Act.
http://spuc-director.blogspot.com/2012/02/midwives-must-take-charge-of-abortion.html
Vicar made thief kneel until police arrived
Daily Telegraph –A vicar who caught a thief raiding his church ordered him to kneel in front of him and wait for police.
The great school place sausage machine
BBC News Magazine – Moving house. Signing up a tutor. Going to church more. The scramble for school places has always been a stressful affair, but now some parents, and particularly the middle classes, seem to be going to extraordinary lengths to get ahead of the game. With almost one in six children failing to get into their first choice secondary school last year – and the primary school picture not looking much better – parents seem to be feeling the pressure to up the ante. As hundreds of thousands of children in England find out whether they have a place at their secondary schools of choice, what tactics have some parents employed to secure the most sought-after?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17190113
Gay marriages are “completely nuts”, Tory MP
Press Asociation – Wellingborough MP Peter Bone urged the Church of England to block plans for same-sex weddings in a religious setting. Conservative Tony Baldry, representing the Church Commissioners, told MPs the Church of England would make “detailed submissions” to a consultation on the proposals.
Patronising elderly ‘like racist abuse’
Daily Telegraph – Patronising elderly people in hospitals or care homes should be treated as severely as racist or sexist abuse, a landmark report on dignity for older people says today.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/9111790/Patronising-elderly-like-racist-abuse.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/29/dignity-in-care-report-staff-selection