UK Teenage Pregnancy Unit a $100 million dud Campaign sees opposite effect as conceptions soar under contraceptive plan A 40 million pound UK Government campaign to reduce teenage pregnancies has been branded a failure after areas specifically targeted for
improved contraception services and advice saw huge rises in underage conceptions. New figures show that teenage pregnancy rates rocketed in the three years following the establish-
ment of the Teenage Pregnancy Unit by Tony Blair in 1999. Some of the worst hit areas include places such as Lambeth in South London, which was designated as a target in 1999 when 361 girls
- nine per cent of those under the age of 18 years - became pregnant. In spite of the efforts of the pregnancy unit, the number of teenage girls falling pregnant in Continued on page 2
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2004
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Diversity Matters: Pluralism is now the norm for our society Page 10
I Say, I Say: Cameron Diaz should stick to acting Page 10
Man of courage: Life of Dr Pat Cranley, remarkable GP Page 11
Priest stands by girl Parishioners, Bishop, back Priest willing to be arrested Year of the Eucharist
■ Catholic Herald, with The Record's Jamie O'Brien
A British Catholic priest in the Diocese of Clifton, England, has been caught in a tense standoff with police after he vowed to go to jail rather than allow officers to arrest an African asylum seeker who is sheltering in his parish. His Bishop told The Record in a telephone interview on Monday that not only parishioners but many in the wider community were supporting his stand. Fr Richard McKay, the parish priest of St Nicholas of Tolentino Church in Easton, Bristol, barred police from entering his church earlier this month in order to detain Josette Ishimwe, a 23 year-old Rwandan woman. Miss Ishimwe, who witnessed the brutal murder of her father and mother at the age of 13 during the civil war in Rwanda, is claiming asylum in Britain but has had her appeal rejected by the Home Office. But Fr McKay - supported by parishioners, the wider community and his bishop, Bishop Declan Lang - said he would not give in, even at the cost of his own liberty. "I am absolutely prepared to go to prison for this if I must," Fr McKay said. Earlier this month authorities decided to hold a final judicial review into Miss Ishimwe’s case.
Church ‘in dire need’ of renewal: Cardinal Dulles ■ By Tracy Early
Entertainers from Cirque du Soleil pose with Pope John Paul II following his general audience at the Vatican on November 10. The Pope focused on Psalm 62 during the audience, saying that “trust in the Lord is the source of eternity and of peace.” Cirque du Soleil is coming to Perth in 2005. Photo: CNS Bishop Lang told The Record the case is continuing. “For her to experience healing she needs the stability and the help of this country,” Bishop Lang said. “She has the support of the
F E AT U R E S
parish and many people in the community as well.” Fr McKay believes Miss Ishimwe will commit suicide if she has to go back to Rwanda. “She is a profoundly wounded
INDEX
Into the Deep Bishop Holohan charts a course for a diocese in troubling times Pages 7-9
- Pages 12 & 13 World News - Page 14 Reviews - Page 15 Classifieds - Page 6 Editorial & Letters - Page 10 I Say, I Say
individual who has suffered terribly. There are not the facilities in Rwanda to look after her. “There is nothing for her there. “She cannot go back." Continued on page 3
Cardinal Avery Dulles said in a lecture on November 10 that Catholics are entering the 200405 Year of the Eucharist with an awareness that "the Church is in dire need of renewal." Although "holy in her head and in her apostolic heritage," the Church remains "sinful in her members and in constant need of being purified," he said. The Cardinal said many Catholics are ignorant of Church teachings, and a few even reject the teachings. "Some of the clergy are not exempt from grave and scandalous sins, as we have learned all too well in these recent years," he said. As a resource for renewal, he called for an emphasis on the Eucharist, and seeing in it the same marks used by the creed in describing the Church as one, holy, Catholic and apostolic. Cardinal Dulles, a Jesuit theologian named to the College of Cardinals in Continued on page 4
MOVIES
All Aboard! A children’s movie for Christmas looks like it won’t be half bad Page 14
INSIDE: I am with you always - Page 14 ● Aussies help Sudanese - Page 4 ● Give a Catholic book (and a little inspiration) for Christmas! - Page 16