Royal Marriage Separation
The marriage separation of the Prince and Princess of Wales has brought to the fore questions about the Acts of Parliament affecting Royal Marriages. The Royal Marriages Act of 1772 requires the Sovereign’s consent in all Royal Marriages. According to Press reports, the Queen favours the repeal of this Act. The Act of Settlement of 1701 establishing our Protestant throne requires that any member of the Royal Family who marries a Roman Catholic forfeits their claim in line of succession to the throne. A newspaper report said that the Queen and the Prime Minister agree that this Act is objectionable in this day and age. It is also reported that legislation is being drafted to alter or repeal these laws. If this is so, it is a serious matter for Great Britain, as the Act of Settlement ensures the continuance of the Protestant constitution and succession. It is to be hoped that any attempt to remove these safeguards will be defeated in Parliament. While it would please the Roman Catholic hierarchy, it would be detrimental to Britain’s best interests.
Sabbath Trading
The European Court has ruled that Britain’s ‘Sunday’ trading laws do not contravene the Treaty of Rome. Notwithstanding this, most of the large supermarkets have continued to defy the law of the land and open for trade on the Lord’s Day. The law breakers will not cease agitating until they get a law framed to suit themselves and the Government, sadly, is only too willing to accommodate their wishes and introduce appropriate legislation. There is, however, a God in heaven whose law it is that is being violated and he will yet deal with the Sabbath-breakers.
Euthanasia
An attempt is being made by the parents of a young man injured in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster in 1989 to get permission from the Courts to withdraw medical care, including the removal of artificial food from him. The young man is in what is called, a persistent vegetative state. The Court of Appeal granted permission and if the appeal to the House of Lords against the decision is not successful, the patient will be allowed to die. Should it be so, the law of the land will have moved a step nearer legalising euthanasia, as this is a test case. On the other hand, if the House of Lords goes against the Court of Appeal’s decision, then it will be a set-back for the pro-euthanasia lobby.
Romanist Nun Resigns Professorship
An American nun recently resigned as Professor of Nursing at Edinburgh University over a false Ph.D. claim. She had been Professor since 1983. She is thought to have returned to her convent in the U.S.A. A pervert to Rome she became a Franciscan Nun and followed a nursing and teaching career. This experience ought to make Edinburgh University more careful when making appointments and should make the University doubly careful over claims from Romanist sources.