O'Brien tells MPs 'check your conscience'

Published on Friday 6 June 2008 10:47

THE leader of Scotland's Roman Catholics has challenged Westminster politicians to examine their consciences over recent parliamentary votes.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, said the debates over hybrid embryos and changes to the abortion law had been "a time of great moral challenges".

But speaking at a Mass in the crypt of the House of Commons, he said: "It has struck me that for all the Church's calls for recognition of the inviolability of conscience the sad reality is that the vast majority of politicians have given support to various attacks on human life with apparent lack of reproach from conscience.

"We cannot help but notice that consciences among even some who ostensibly see themselves as loyal Catholics or champions of the life have been dulled even so far as to acquiesce with what is euphemistically called a right to choose.

"What does one say then, in the face of those who without guilt condemn the innocent in the womb, show disregard for family life and play God with the building blocks of life?"

He claimed the Church was a "signpost for conscience" not just for Catholics but for all people.

And he added: "It is in teaching with confidence and faith that we can begin the much needed task of awakening consciences in our society. I believe in fact the campaigning of recent months has already contributed to that task."