Simon Caldwell, Author at Catholic Herald

Simon Caldwell

What are the chances of a pro-life Prime Minister?

June 06, 2019

Michael Gove raised a few eyebrows when he described Theresa May as “Britain’s first Catholic Prime Minister” two years ago. He pointed out that the Tory leader was a committed Anglo-Catholic like her father, a vicar; practised abstinence during Lent; and was influenced by Catholic social thought. Much within May’s voting record suggests she was

Why bishops are alarmed by the state of UK prisons

May 30, 2019

Now that Theresa May is on her way out of Downing Street, it is inevitable that the country is going to hear much more from Boris Johnson on all kinds of issues as he vies to be Prime Minister. Days before May’s resignation, he was already sharing his views on Britain’s “soft” prisons and justice

Does Ireland’s new pro-life party stand a chance?

May 23, 2019

When citizens of the Irish Republic go to the polls today, they will have the privilege of being able to vote for a pro-life party. Aontú, which means “unity” and is pronounced “ain two”, was formed by Peadar Tóibín, a former Sinn Féin TD (Member of Parliament) from County Meath who quit the party after

‘Censorship zones prevent real choice’: the battle over pro-life vigils

May 16, 2019

When Richmond Council became the second local authority to impose a “buffer zone” around an abortion clinic, it set aside £100,000 of taxpayers’ money in anticipation of a legal challenge to its decision. That challenge came last week when Justyna Pacek, a Polish-born pro-life counsellor with the Good Counsel Network, filed a case against the

Sainthood could be a step closer for a wandering poet

May 09, 2019

Sooner rather than later the Cause for the canonisation of John Bradburne is likely to open, possibly on September 5, the 40th anniversary of the murder of the missionary in what is now Zimbabwe. There is abundant evidence of a cult devoted to Bradburne as in Africa each year some 25,000 pilgrims make the journey

How pro-life groups are battling the campus censors

April 25, 2019

There is something of a free speech crisis in British universities. The propensity to ban the discussion or promotion of ideas which some students might oppose or find offensive has led to the phenomena of no-platforming, safe spaces and other means of exclusion. The fragility and delicacy of some students, their shameless intolerance, have now

The ‘Year of the Word’ will remind us of Benedict XVI’s wisdom

April 18, 2019

In September, the Bishops of England and Wales will unveil a programme of events to mark the “Year of the Word”, to which 2020 will be dedicated. The Year is still being planned, in collaboration with the British Bible Society, but details are starting to emerge. It could involve the appointment of “Scripture champions” to

The ‘woke’ get the parody they deserve

April 11, 2019

Woke: A Guide to Social Justice By Titania McGrath Constable, 150pp, £12.99/$18.99 An aphorism traditionally attributed to GK Chesterton noted that “when a man stops believing in God he doesn’t then believe in nothing, he believes anything.” This book makes the same point but in a very different way. Titania McGrath, a “radical intersectionalist poet

Ten years after inspiring England, St Thérèse is coming to Scotland

April 11, 2019

The serious business of Church renewal will gather pace in Scotland later this year when the relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux visit the country for the first time. Catholic officials are hoping that the three-week tour, from August 30 to September 20, will be as productive as that south of the border a decade

Abandon gangs, turn in your knives, Cardinal Nichols urges young people

April 09, 2019

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has called on young people to get rid of their knives in an attempt to stem an epidemic of violence sweeping the UK. The Archbishop of Westminster also urged young people to abandon gangs and to turn to Christ instead. “If you or your friends are involved in gangs, try to find

Is Britain making Christianity a hate crime?

April 04, 2019

A Catholic official in Scotland last week publicly raised the prospect that the faithful might soon be breaking the law if they profess Church teaching on marriage and sexuality. Anthony Horan, director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, warned politicians that a new hate crimes law might entrap ordinary Catholics who dared to share Church teaching

Royal College of Physicians adopts neutral policy on assisted suicide

March 22, 2019

The professional body for doctors in the UK has dropped its traditional opposition to assisted suicide, despite a poll that found a majority of its members remain opposed to the practice. The Royal College of Physicians declared it has adopted a policy of neutrality, although a majority of doctors said they were against assisted suicide.

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