Two Scottish midwives are going to the Supreme Court to defend their right to work as midwives while not being involved in abortions.

The case of Catholics Mary Doogan and Connie Wood against Greater Glasgow Health Board will be heard later.

The pair had previously won a court challenge after objecting to the health board’s request that they ‘delegate, supervise and support’ midwives in carrying out abortions.

But Greater Glasgow Health Board is now appealing that decision before Lady Hale, Lord Wilson, Lord Reed, Lord Hughes and Lord Hodge.

A final decision is expected to be made today.

After ruling in their favour in April 2013 Lady Dorrian said: “In our view the right of conscientious objection extends not only to the actual medical or surgical termination but to the whole process of treatment given for that purpose.”

She added: “The right is given because it is recognised that the process of abortion is felt by many people to be morally repugnant.”

Premier has asked Greater Glasgow Health Board to comment on today’s hearing but has not received a reply.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

Muslim primary school teachers should be allowed to wear head veils whilst in the classroom, a former Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

Lord Rowan Williams said fears that a woman covering her face would affect a child’s education were ‘misplaced’.

In an interview with Christian think tank Theos he said there was no need to ‘panic’ if a Muslim teacher decided to wear a niqab in class.

He said: “I’ve actually been in public discussions in Pakistan with women wearing full face veil, and you learn to read differently, it’s not that those codes don’t happen but there’s a cultural obstacle to overcome.

“As a matter of fact I think that’s largely a misplaced anxiety, but I can see where it comes from.”

There has been fierce debate over whether Muslims should be allowed to completely cover their face in school.

Prime Minister David Cameron has refused to support a ban on the practice but has said he’d support any school which asked Muslims to remove hiqabs.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

The farewell service to mark the Bishop of Gloucester’s retirement will no longer take place because of an ongoing Church of England investigation.

Rt Revd Michael Perham was told by police last month he will face no action after being questioned about two claims of indecent assault.

He’s due to retire officially on 21 November but has not been involved in any duties since the allegations were made.

The Bishop of Tewkesbury has taken over the running of the diocese and said the cancellation was sad: “I know this will be the cause of huge frustration and deep disappointment.”

Rt Rev Martyn Snow added: “Church House, Westminster has confirmed to me the process is still ongoing and there is a formal timetable for this process as it must be completed with fairness to all.

“The diocese must therefore await the conclusion of that process.”

Bishop Michael has always denied the allegations of historical sex offences made in August.

Source and Original Content by Premier Christian News

A thousand people gathered to mourn the deaths of 14 churchgoers who died in a bus crash in southern Spain on Saturday.

According to the Associated Press, 55 members of a church in Bullas, around 50km from provincial capital Murcia, were travelling back from a day trip to Madrid where they had attended a religious event in honour of a nun.

Their bus ran off the road and fell down a 50 foot embankment near the town of Cieza late on Saturday evening. 14 were killed in the incident, including 36-year-old parish priest Miguel Conesa Andugar who organised the trip. At least 38 more were injured, and 23 passengers remain hospitalised. Many of those on the trip are thought to be young people.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident, and the driver has reportedly been charged with homicide and reckless driving. Local reports suggest that he blamed a brake failure, but the bus company maintains checks were up to date. The local council has declared three days of mourning…Read More

Source and Original Content by Christian Today