The Apparition Of Saint Michael The Archangel. Feast Day 8 May.

Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
Italic Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

The Apparition of Saint Michael the Archangel.
Feast Day 8 May.

Greater-Double.
White Vestments.

Saint Michael the Archangel.

Artist: Guido Reni (1575–1642).

Date: Circa 1636.

Current location: Church of Santa Maria della Concezione,

Rome, Italy.

Source/Photographer: The Yorck Project: 10.000 Meisterwerke der Malerei.

DVD-ROM, 2002. ISBN 3936122202. Distributed by

DIRECTMEDIA Publishing GmbH.

Permission: [1].

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Easter Feasts are those of Angelical Spirits, for the Resurrection "gives joy also to the Angels," says Saint Gregory, "because, in opening Heaven to us, again, it makes up for the losses which their ranks had sustained."

The Feast of the Apparition of Saint Michael, the chief of the celestial hosts, shows forth, in this Paschaltide, all the grandeur of the Saviour's triumph.

Saint Michael, himself, comes to defend us in battle (Alleluia). He came down from Heaven (Ibid) and appeared in Italy, towards 525 A,D,, under the Pontificate of Pope Gelasius I, in Apulia, on the summit of Monte Gargano, near the Adriatic and the ancient Sipontum.

He requested that a Sanctuary should be erected to him, where God should be worshipped, in memory of himself and all the Angels, and this place became celebrated on account of numerous Miracles.

Mass: Benedícite Dóminum.

English: Archangel Michael

saving Souls from Purgatory.

By Jacopo Vignali, 

17th-Century.

Italiano: Jacopo vignali.

San michele arcangelo libera le anime del purgatorio.

Source: Giovanni Piccirillo (a cura di).

La chiesa dei Santi Michele e Gaetano,

Becocci Editore, Firenze 2006.

Author: sailko.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Michael the Archangel is referred to in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times. Throughout the centuries, specific Roman Catholic traditions and views on Saint Michael have taken shape, as recently as the 19th- and 20th-Centuries.

A specific "Prayer to Saint Michael" was promoted by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and, as recently as 1994, was reinforced by Pope John Paul II, who encouraged the Catholic Faithful to continue to Pray it, saying: "I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness."

Saint Michael has specific roles, within Roman Catholic teachings, that range from acting as the chief opponent of Satan to saving Souls at the hour of death. Roman Catholic literature and traditions continue to point to Saint Michael in contexts as varied as the protection of the Catholic Church to the Consecration of Russia by Popes Pius XII and John Paul II.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

added by Pope Leo XIII, in 1886, to the Leonine Prayers,

at the foot of the Altar, after Low Mass.

Pope Leo XIII,

in 1880.

Source: 1880 book on Pope Leo XIII.

Author: Karl Benzinger.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Holy Michael Archangel,

defend us in the day of battle;

be our safeguard against the wickedness

      and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him,

we humbly Pray,

and do thou,

Prince of the Heavenly host,

by the power of God,

thrust down to Hell,

Satan and all wicked spirits,

who wander through the world

      for the ruin of Souls.

The Prayer to Saint Michael is an invocation, used mainly by Catholics, addressed to Michael the archangel.

Pope Leo XIII added it, in 1886, to the Leonine Prayers, which he had directed to be said after Low Mass, two years earlier. Pope John Paul II referred to the Saint Michael Prayer in his Regina Coeli address of 24 April 1994 as follows:

"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle that the Letter to the Ephesians speaks of: 'Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might' (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle, recalling before our eyes the image of Saint Michael the Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had this picture in mind when, at the end of the last century, he brought in, throughout the Church, a special Prayer to Saint Michael: 'Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil...' Although this Prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."

Missa Solemnis (Solemn High Mass) For Easter Sunday, 1940. Our Lady Of Sorrows Basilica, Chicago. Narration By, Then, Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen.

Interior of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica

and National Shrine, Chicago, Illinois,

United States of America.

Date: 2 February 2008 (edited April 2008).

Author: Original by User:JeremyA.

Edited version by User:Capital photographer.

Permission: The required attribution is:

© 2008, Jeremy Atherton.

(Wikipedia)

A Traditional Catholic Latin Mass, filmed on Easter Sunday in 1940, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Chicago. The film presents the Ceremonies of the Missa Solemnis, or Solemn High Mass, in full detail, with narration by, then, Mgr. Fulton J. Sheen.

Celebrated by Rev. J. R. Keane, of the Order of Servites (hence the White Habits and Cowls), the Ceremonies are accompanied by a full Polyphonic Choir, Orchestra, and fifty Gregorian Chanters.

Available on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/KXVrsFmclQM.

The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.
Image: CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

Chester Cathedral. Part Five.

Text and Illustrations from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Chester Cathedral.

Cathedral Church of Christ and The Blessed Virgin Mary,

Chester, England.

The Cathedral, seen from the South-East, looking towards the Choir, right, with the Lady Chapel projecting, extreme right, and the South Transept, left. The Lady Chapel is in the Early-English (or Lancet) Gothic Style, marked by the simple windows. The Choir is in the Late-Geometric Decorated Gothic Style. The South Transept has Flowing Decorated Windows in the Aisle, and Perpendicular Gothic Windows in the Clerestory. The friable Red Sandstone building was heavily

restored in the 19th-Century.

Photo: May 2012.

Source: Family Album.

Author: Stephen Hamilton.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Scott's restorations were not without their critics and caused much debate in architectural circles. Scott claimed to have archaeological evidence for his work, but the Liverpool architect, Samuel Huggins, argued, in an 1868 address to the Liverpool Architectural Society, that the alterations were less like restoration and more like rebuilding.

One of the larger changes was to shorten the South Aisle and restyle it as an Apse. The changes also proposed the addition of a Spire above the existing Tower, but this proposal was later rejected. Samuel Huggins's further Paper, of 1871, entitled "On so-called restorations of our Cathedral and Abbey Churches", compelled the Dean to attempt to answer the criticism. The debate contributed to the establishment of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Later in the century, from 1882, Arthur Blomfield and his son, Charles, made further additions and modifications, including restoring and re-instating the Shrine of Saint Werburgh. More work was carried out in the 20th-Century by Giles Gilbert Scott, between 1891 and 1913, and by F. H. Crossley, in 1939.

There is a Garden-in-Remembrance, 

of The Cheshire Regiment, 

at Chester Cathedral.

English: A German trench, occupied by British soldiers, near the Albert-Bapaume Road, at

Ovillers-la-Boisselle, France, July 1916. The Battle of the Somme.

The men are from A-Company, 11th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment.

Français: Tranchée britannique près de la route Albert-Bapaume à Ovillers-la-Boisselle,

en juillet 1916 durant la bataille de la Somme.

Deutsch: Schlacht an der Somme: Britischer Schützengraben im Juli 1916 bei Ovillers-la-Boisselle

an der Straße zwischen Albert und Bapaume.

Magyar: Brit lövészárok az Albert–Bapaume út közelében Ovillers-la-Boisselle-ben,

1916 júliusában, a Somme-i csata alatt.

Italiano: Trincea britannica a Ovillers-la-Boisselle sulla strada tra Albert e Bapaume,

luglio 1916 durante la Battaglia della Somme.

Source: This is photograph Q 3990 from the collection of

The Imperial War Museums (collection no. 1900-13).

Author: John Warwick Brooke.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Towards the end of 1963, the Cathedral Bells, which were housed in the Central Tower, were in need of an overhaul, and ringing was suspended. In 1965, the Dean asked George Pace, architect to York Minster, to prepare specifications for a new Bell Frame and for electrification of the Clock and tolling mechanism.

Due to structural difficulties and the cost of replacing the Bells in the Central Tower, it was advised that consideration should be given to building a Detached Bell-and-Clock Tower in the South-East corner of the Churchyard. It was decided to proceed with that plan, and, in 1969, an announcement was made that the first Detached Cathedral Bell Tower was to be erected since the building of the Campanile at Chichester Cathedral in the 15th-Century.

In February 1969, nine of the ten Bells in the Central Tower were removed, to be re-cast by John Taylor & Co as a Ring of twelve Bells with a Flat Sixth. The new Bells were cast in 1973. Work on the new Bell-Tower began in February 1973. Two old Bells, dating from 1606 and 1626, were left in the Tower. On 26 February 1975, the Bells were rung, for the first time, to celebrate the wedding of a member of the Grosvenor family.

English: 17th-Century 

Chancellor's Seat,

the Consistory Court, 

Chester Cathedral.

Deutsch: Chester, England.

Kathedrale: Konsistorium.

Sitz des Kanzlers.

Photo: 13 July 2011.

Source: Own work.

Author: Wolfgang Sauber.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The official opening, on 25 June 1975, was performed by the Duke of Gloucester. The Belfry is known as the Dean Addleshaw Tower, after the Dean of the Cathedral responsible for its construction. The Tower is built in concrete, faced with sandstone at its base. It is the first Detached Bell Tower to be built for a Cathedral in this country since the Reformation. Between the Bell Tower and the South Transept is a Garden-in-Remembrance of the Cheshire Regiment (originally the 22nd Regiment of Foot).

The treasures of Chester Cathedral are its rare Fittings, specifically its Choir Stalls and the 17th-Century furnishing of the Bishop’s Consistory Court in the South Tower, which is a unique survival.

"Crockets", applied to the Finials,

at Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk,

Ostend, Belgium.

Photo: 15 June 2005.

Source: Own work.

Author: JoJan.

(Wikimedia Commons)

A Crocket is a hook-shaped decorative element common in Gothic architecture.

It is in the form of a stylised carving of curled leaves, buds or flowers, which is used at regular intervals to decorate the sloping edges of spires, finials, pinnacles, and wimpergs.

When used to decorate the Capitals of Columns, these are called Crocket Capitals.

This element is also used as an ornament, on furniture and metalwork, in the Gothic Style.

The name derives from the diminutive of the French "croc", meaning "hook", due to the resemblance of Crockets to a Bishop's Crosier.

Misericord and Choir Stall,

Chester Cathedral, 

England.

Date: 17 March 2008 (original upload date). (Original Text :16 March 2008).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia. (Original Text : Self-made).

Author; Original uploader was Joopercoopers at en.wikipedia. (Original text : Joopercoopers.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Choir Stalls date from about 1380. They have high, spiky, closely set, Canopies, with Crocketed Arches and Spirelets. The Stall Ends have Poppyheads, and are rich with figurative carving. The Stalls include forty-eight Misericords, all but five of which are original, depicting a variety of subjects, some humorous and some grotesque. Pevsner states that they are "one of the finest sets in the country", while Alec Clifton-Taylor calls them “exquisite” and says, of the Misericords, that, “for delicacy and grace, they surpass even those at Lincoln and Beverley”.

Poppyhead,

carved as a stylised fleur-de-lys,

in Saint Peter's Church, Neatishead,

Norfolk, England.

Photo: 31 May 2007.

Source: From geograph.org.uk.

Author: John Salmon.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Poppyhead" is a form of carving of the end of a Bench or a Choir Stall. Its name is unrelated to the poppy flower. It is derived, by way of Old French, from the Latin word "puppis", which means the poop, or the figurehead, of a ship. In its simplest, and its most usual form, it has the appearance of a stylised fleur-de-lys. In some cases, it consists of a much more intricate carving; for example,

in Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh, Suffolk, England, some of the Poppyheads

represent the Seven Deadly Sins.

In 1844, an Organ, by Gray and Davison, of London, was installed in the Cathedral, replacing an instrument with parts dating back to 1626. The Organ was rebuilt and enlarged by Whiteley Bros of Chester, in 1876, to include harmonic flutes and reeds by Cavaillé-Coll. It was later moved to its present position at the front of the North Transept.

PART SIX FOLLOWS

Saint Stanislaus. Bishop And Martyr. Patron Saint Of Poland. Feast Day 7 May.

Roman Text is taken from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Italic Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Stanislaus.
Bishop and Martyr.
Feast Day 7 May.

Double.
Red Vestments.

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów.

Artist: Stanisław Samostrzelnik (1485–1541).

Date: 1530 - 1535.

Current location: National Library of Poland.

Source/Photographer: Polona.pl.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: State flag of Poland with Coat of Arms, symbolic version. Based on Image:Flag of Poland.svg and Image:Herb Polski.svg. Note: the Coat of Arms used here is not the official, accurate version. The official one is still not available in vector format.

Polski: Flaga Polski z godłem, wersja symboliczna. Oparta na Image:Flag of Poland.svg i Image:Herb Polski.svg. Uwaga: godło użyte w tej grafice nie jest oficjalne. Oficjalna wersja godła nie jest jeszcze dostępna w formacie wektorowym, stąd zamieszczono poniżej dodatkową wersję tej grafiki w formacie PNG, w której użyto poprawnego wizerunku godła.

Date: 26 June 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Aotearoa, Wanted.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Stanislaus, born in Poland, was made Bishop of Cracow in 1072. He became an object of hatred to King Boleslas II, whom he reproached for his tyranny and dissolute life.

One day, whilst the Saint was saying Mass, the King rushed at him and slew him (Collect). This was in 1079. Saint Stanislaus is the Patron Saint of Poland.

Mass: Protexisti.

Stanislaus of Szczepanów, or Stanisław Szczepanowski, (July 26, 1030 – April 11, 1079) was a Bishop of Kraków, known chiefly for having been Martyred by the Polish king, Bolesław II the Bold. Stanislaus is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as Saint Stanislaus the Martyr (as distinct from Stanislaus Kostka).

According to tradition, Stanisław was born at Szczepanów, a village in Lesser Poland, the only son of the noble and pious Wielisław and Bogna. He was educated at a Cathedral school in Gniezno (then the capital of Poland) and later, according to different sources, in Paris or Liège. On his return to Poland, Stanisław was ordained a Priest by Lambert II Suła, Bishop of Kraków.

After the Bishop's death (1072), Stanisław was elected his successor, but accepted the Office only at the explicit command of Pope Alexander II. Stanisław was one of the earliest native Polish Bishops. He also became a Ducal Advisor and had some influence on Polish politics.

Stanisław's major accomplishments included bringing Papal Legates to Poland, and re-establishment of a Metropolitan See in Gniezno. The latter was a pre-condition for Duke Bolesław's coronation as King, which took place in 1076. Stanisław then encouraged King Bolesław to establish Benedictine Monasteries to aid in the Christianisation of Poland.

New Swiss Guards Swear Oath Of Allegiance To Protect Pope Francis.

The Text in this Article, unless otherwise stated, is taken from CNA CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

The "Swearing-In" of the Swiss Guard

at the Vatican on 6 May 2014.

Photo: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican City, May 6, 2014 / 11:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Thirty young men joined the ranks of the Swiss Guards today, taking an Oath of Allegiance to Pope Francis and promising to serve the Church by protecting him and all of his successors.

Addressing the new Guards, the day before their traditional Swearing-In on 6 May, the Pope explained that the event commemorates their predecessors, who “offered their lives to defend the Church.”

“Your dedication,” he noted, “confirms that their courage and loyalty have borne fruit.”

In the San Damaso courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, Tuesday, 6 May 2014, the new Members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard made their commitment, like hundreds before them, on the Anniversary of the Sack of Rome.

Swiss Guard,

posted at Saint Peter's Basilica,

Vatican, Italy.

Photo: 29 August 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lobozpics.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Occurring 6 May 1527, the attack marks the most significant and deadliest event in the history of the Guard. During the battle, one hundred and forty-seven Members lost their lives, while fighting the army of the Holy Roman Empire, in defence of Pope Clement VII, who was able to escape through a secret passageway leading from the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo, which sits on the Tiber River, Rome.

In his comments to the Guards, Pope Francis observed how society today is different than it was then, “But man's heart, his capacity to be loyal and courageous . . . has remained the same.”

“Serving in the Swiss Guard means living an experience that involves a meeting of time and space in a very particular way,” he said. “With your special service, you are called upon to offer serene and joyful Christian witness to whomever arrives in the Vatican to visit St. Peter's Basilica and to meet the Pope.”

“Live your days intensely ! Be firm in your Faith and generous in your Charity towards the people you meet.”

English: Regimental flag of the Swiss Guards

(French Regiment, Marseilles, France, 1899).

Deutsch: Ordonnanzfahne eines französischen Regiments der Gardeschweizer. - 

Entnommen und überarbeitet aus: „LES UNIFORMES ET

LES DRAPEAUX DE L'ARMÉE DU ROI“

Marseille 1899. 

(Drapeau d'Ordonnance du régiment des Gardes-suisses.

Source: Own work.

Author: Steinbeisser.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Remarking on how the colours of the Swiss Guard uniform – which also celebrates its 100-year Anniversary this year – are known throughout the world, the Pope reflected that they “stand for dedication, seriousness and security. They are identified with singular service and a glorious past.”

“However, behind every uniform, there is a real person: With a family and a homeland, with a personality and sensibility, with wishes and plans in life,” the Pontiff went on to say, emphasising that, although the uniform attracts attention, “it is not the uniform, but rather he who wears it, who must be noted for his kindness, his spirit of welcome, for his charitable attitude towards all.”

“Consider this also in your relations between yourselves, according importance, also in your community life, to sharing both joyful moments and those that are more difficult,” the Pope said, stressing the importance of doing so “without ignoring those among you who are in difficulty.”

Massacre of the Swiss Guards during the storming of the Tuileries.

Artist: Henri-Paul Motte (1846–1922).

Date: 1892.

Source/Photographer: Bibliothèque nationale de France

(Wikimedia Commons)

For those who are in difficulty “and who are at times in need of a smile and a gesture of encouragement and friendship,” the Pope encouraged them to “avoid that negative distance that divides companions and, in the lives of all people in the world, can give rise to disdain, marginalisation and racism.”

Present at the Guards' Swearing-In was a number of Vatican dignitaries, the new Swiss Ambassador to the Holy See, Pierre-Yves Fux, and Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, who is the Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

During the ceremony, each new Guard placed a hand on the Official Flag of the Swiss Guard, and, with the other hand, raised three fingers as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

Banner of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.

Español: Versión de la Bandera de la Guardia Suiza Vaticana,

durante el pontificado de Francisco

y la comandancia de Daniel Rudolf Anrig, en base a:

English: Flag Version of the Vatican Swiss Guard,

during the Pontificate of Pope Francis

and under the command of Daniel Rudolf Anrig,

based on: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swiss_Guard_Flag_PP_Francis-Anrig.pnghttp://www.gecoas.com/religion/Trabajos/Guardia_suiza/imag/bandera04.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/935295_606427942701581_1100584488_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/601686_606427509368291_988684415_n.jpg http://blogdeheraldica.blogspot.mx/2009_11_08_archive.htmlhttp://www.aciprensa.com/imagespp/bandera-gsjpii.gif http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/va-swis2.html

Con el uso de: With the use of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Insigne_Francisci.svghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:

Emblem_of_the_Papacy_SE.svg

Date: 7 August 2013.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sarumo74.

(Wikimedia Commons)

In addition to protecting the Pope, members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard are often called on to answer tourists’ questions, perform ceremonial duties and to assist at Vatican events.

Speaking to CNA, during a 5 May Press Conference detailing the preparations for the event, the Commander of the Swiss Guard, Colonel Daniel Anrig, explained that maintaining the tradition of new Guards making their Oaths on the Anniversary of the Sack of Rome reminds them of their mission.

“The Swiss Guards had to protect Pope Clement VII and most of the Swiss Guards lost their lives,” he noted. “That’s the reason we are remembering the day,” and, “to also promise again to do the same in this way. To do the same as the soldiers have done in 1527.”

Making an Oath for the Pope “means to give him everything, meaning also your life when need be,” the Commander continued, “so it’s a commitment, it’s a strong commitment to do everything for the Holy Father.”

The following Text is taken from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.

Swiss Guards are the Swiss soldiers who have served as guards at foreign European Courts since the Late-15th-Century. In addition to small Household and Palace Units, Swiss Mercenary Regiments have served as Regular Troops in various armies; notably, those of France, Spain and Naples (see Swiss Mercenaries). Currently, the name "Swiss Guard" generally refers to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the Holy See, stationed at the Vatican, in Rome, Italy.

The Swiss were famous Mercenaries for hundreds of years. Since Switzerland was a poor country, young men often sought their fortunes abroad, having a reputation for discipline and loyalty, and employing revolutionary battle tactics. They were considered the most powerful Troops of the 15th-Century, until their methods were refined by the Landsknechte in the Early-16th-Century.

The earliest such Unit was the Swiss Hundred Guard (Cent Suisses) at the French Court (1497 – 1830). This small force was complemented in 1567 by a Swiss Guards Regiment. The Papal Swiss Guard (now located in Vatican City), was founded in 1506 and is the only extant Swiss Guard. In the 18th- and Early-19th-Centuries, several other Swiss Guard Units existed for periods in various European Courts.

Belmont Abbey. Latin Mass Society Conference For Training Our Clergy To Celebrate Mass In The Forma Extraordinaria (Usus Antiquior).

The Blog, THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY RC DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH
has an excellent Report on the most successful Conference, last week, at Belmont Abbey, Hereford, England, for the training of Clergy and Servers in the Latin Mass (Forma Extraordinaria) (Usus Antiquior).

Photo: JOSEPH SHAW (LATIN MASS SOCIETY)

In addition, the Chairman of The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, Joseph Shaw, has a wonderful set of photographs of the Training Conference at PRIEST TRAINING AT BELMONT ABBEY

Those Priests, Seminarians and Servers, who wish to Register for the next Training Conference for The Latin Mass, should contact THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY OF ENGLAND AND WALES

UK Rules Exclude Pro-Life Medical Professionals From Diploma.

The Text in this Article is taken from CNA CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

Image: CARDINAL WINNING PRO-LIFE INITIATIVE

UK rules exclude pro-life medical professionals from diploma

LONDON, ENGLAND, May 4 (CNA/EWTN News) .- U.K. requirements that medical professionals seeking a specialist diploma must be willing to prescribe contraception and abortion-causing drugs have sparked objections from those excluded due to their moral beliefs.

“These rules exclude professionals who are unwilling to prescribe contraceptives and abortifacients on moral and conscientious grounds from specializing in an important area of clinical practice,” Victoria Weissman, a Catholic final year medical student in Britain, told CNA May 1.

“These are rules of exclusion based on discrimination, and restrict the rights both of health care professionals and of society in general,” she said, adding that the rules discriminate against her “on the grounds of my moral and conscientious objection.”

She said that the rules also discriminate against the “many women” she has encountered who might benefit and appreciate discussing these issues with “a practitioner who shared their understanding of the meaning and responsibility of their sexuality and fertility and who valued the dignity of every human life.”

In February, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists re-published the guidelines for its specialist diplomas in sexual and reproductive health and for the standards of full membership in the faculty, the British newspaper The Telegraph reports.

The faculty said the completion of the program’s full syllabus is necessary for the qualification and this includes “a willingness to prescribe all forms of hormonal contraception, including emergency contraception, regardless of personal beliefs.”

Weissman said that the diploma is important for general practitioners or nurses involved in “any aspect of reproductive health” and it is “essential” for specialization.

She said that more than 70 percent of British medical graduates become general practitioners and reproductive health constitutes “a large part” of their caseload.

The diploma guidelines update said that clinicians with moral or religious reservations about “any contraceptive methods” will be unable to fulfill its syllabus requirement and will be ineligible for the diploma. It said that nurses and midwives have the right to conscientious objection only in cases of participation in abortion and in artificial conception procedures.

The faculty said that the policy is an updated version that now refers to nurses but is “otherwise unchanged” from existing policy.

Weissman repeated her objections to the policy.

“Sexual and reproductive health care is about much more than preventing and taking away new life,” she said.

Weissman explained that abortifacient drugs prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, a new human embryo, “essentially resulting in miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, abortion.”

“They act once conception has happened, once life exists… they prevent this life from developing, from thriving, from surviving.”

These drugs “cause us to break both the Fifth Commandment and the Hippocratic Oath,” she objected.

She added that Catholics object to contraception on the grounds that it disrupts of conjugal love and places obstacles between the couples and God’s will for them.

Weisman said that disregarding her beliefs would mean she is “endangering the immoral souls of those I treat as well as myself” and also “helping to further an attitude in society that does not respect the dignity of each human life, regardless of its stage in life.”

She said the Catholic faith helps contribute to U.K. medicine. It helps medical practitioners to “see in each individual the image and likeness of God” and to “care for people regardless of their situation, their age, color or creed.” These practitioners’ conscientious objections also help uphold medical moral standards.

Weissman suggested that accommodations be arranged for objecting medical professionals to allow them to complete the diploma.

The rules have also drawn concern from Dr. Peter Saunders, chief executive of the Christian Medical Fellowship.

“It bars pro-life doctors from specializing in sexual and reproductive health and also makes it much more difficult for non-specialists to get jobs in family planning or reproductive health,” he said, according to the Telegraph.

In an April 29 blog post, Saunders suggested that the new policy may constitute illegal discrimination against those who hold certain religious and moral beliefs.

“I expect that some serious questions will be asked in parliament and elsewhere about this matter in the coming days,” he said, “and I would not be surprised if some government ministers got very angry as a result, or if a doctor, or a group of doctors and nurses, contemplated bringing a legal case against the College.”

ZEPHYRINUS COMMENT:

One really must ask oneself what kind of country we are now living in.

The only thing we can do, as Catholics, is to Pray.

And Pray often.