Marie Stopes Abortion Clinics
Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors have raised “serious concerns” about the safety of mothers at Marie Stopes abortion clinics. Reports revealed shocking scenes and poor standards over an extended period of time. One clinic was found with foetal tissue left in open waste bins which, in addition to the abhorrent moral evil of the procedure, could spread severe infection. And inspectors visiting the charity’s headquarters found evidence of bad risk management, improper methods of client consent and poor oversight of the 60-70 clinics in the UK. Marie Stopes clinics now carry out 70 000 abortions a year (about a third of all terminations performed in England); such is the scale of this horrific practice.
Professor Edward Baker, deputy chief inspector of hospitals at the CQC, said these “serious concerns” had been raised following inspections at 12 Marie Stopes International (MSI) sites between April and August 2016. He added, “Our concerns at a corporate level – particularly around governance arrangements, staff training, and around patient safety and safeguarding protocols – did not give us the necessary assurance that patients would be protected from avoidable harm at all times”. He claimed that one report found 2634 incidents recorded at MSI locations between 2015 and 2016, a rise of 704 from the previous year, and the organisation could give only a “limited” explanation as to why this was so. Professor Baker warned that staff at clinics had “limited training”, and doctors were found to be “bulk-signing” consent forms authorising abortions – apparently indiscriminately.
One mother who visited a Marie Stopes clinic for a termination described how she was treated: “I wasn’t asked at any point if an abortion was what I wanted and why . . . just asked a list of medical questions. I was ‘greeted’ at the actual clinic with a dirty look from a receptionist . . . having to sit in the waiting room and wait for ages till a nurse came and called my name . . . given a form to sign and then given a cup with a pill. Only when I hesitated and started to cry did the nurse finally ask if I was OK and if it was what I wanted.
When I said I wasn’t sure, I was asked to ‘hurry up and make a decision as they had other people to see’. I then said, ‘No’. I somehow managed to get back down the four flights of stairs.” Mercifully this lady did not abort her unborn baby. Truly, “the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel” (Prov 12:10).
At a Norwich clinic, reports reveal that doctors “bulk signed” as many as 60 abortion consent forms at one time, with little indication that they understood the patients’ situation. It is possible they may not even have met the mothers. At another clinic, in Sandwell, West Midlands, inspectors found that the handling of a distressed patient with learning difficulties was “poor and insensitive”; she was “not adequately counselled”. Overall the reports reflect deficient procedure and training, and reveal a list of serious shortcomings and a general lack of care by staff. There were also questions over the maintenance of medical equipment on the premises.
As a response to the CQC reports, in August 2016 the organisation temporarily suspended some of its abortion services. However by October, after making “considerable changes”, the Care Commission allowed all services to be resumed, stating “Marie Stopes International has made progress since our inspections; we will continue to monitor its services very closely and our planned re-inspections will determine exactly how embedded these improvements have been”.
However, what the Word of God requires is a total repeal of the infamous Abortion (1967) Act, passed 50 years ago. A timely, able letter, to this end, was sent to all MPs at Westminster by a correspondent to the January Evangelical Times, stating, “Each abortion snuffs out an innocent human life. It should not be allowed to happen because the Bible reminds us in Psalm 139: 13-16 that life from conception is sacred and precious, ‘Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ All human life is . . . intrinsically valuable from conception.”
While the CQC appears to voice care and compassion in its criticism of Marie Stopes clinics, little or no reference is made to, or concern shown for, the foetus, which may be aborted. While the bad practice of these clinics as to the mother’s safety is highlighted – and that is vital – state watchdogs are silent on the protection of the most vulnerable person, the person without a voice, the unborn child. Marie Stopes’ UK website boasts, “Everyone deserves the right to choose . . . your health and wellbeing is our biggest priority”. What about the rights of the child? Above all, what about God’s rights over all His creatures? How loudly the Bible speaks of the wicked: “In the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor” (Ps 10:8). These murders are no longer done secretly but openly, and are even sanctioned by the laws of many countries. KHM
Church of Scotland Minister Promoting “LGBT”
Rev John Nugent, minister of St Fergus Church of Scotland in Wick, is reported in The Herald as supporting the introduction of “LGBT inclusive education” into all Scottish schools. He says that “all inhabitants of our planet have rights that go along with being human” and that the denial of “inclusive education” in schools is “tantamount to a denial of human rights”. Those that do not agree with Mr Nugent on this matter, he characterises as “bigots and haters”.
The Bible knows nothing about these “rights” that people invent for themselves, which have become such a convenient tool for promoting evil. The Bible does tell us, however, about sin, and in particular about the sin of sodomy (what LGBT essentially is), and it warns us that those who continue in their sins will suffer eternal punishment at the hand of God. Those who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. The Bible also warns us about those “in sheep’s clothing” who pretend to be ministers of Christ but who inwardly are “ravening wolves”, teaching men to ignore Christ’s gospel and to break His law (Mt 7:15). DWBS
Church Information
Committee Meetings
Synod committees will meet, DV, in Inverness Free Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, March 21, as follows:
- 10.00 – 10.30 Church Interests Committee
- 10.30 – 12.00 Training of the Ministry Committee
- 12.00 – 13.00 Sabbath Observance Committee
- 14.00 – 15.00 Outreach Committee
- 14.00 – 17.00 Finance Committee
- 15.00 – 17.00 Religion and Morals Committee
- 18.00 – 19.30 Publications and Bookroom Committee
- 19.30 – 20.30 Welfare of Youth Committee
- 19.30 – 20.30 Dominions and Overseas Committee
(Rev) K M Watkins, Clerk of Synod
Bookroom Fund
By appointment of Synod, the Special Collection on behalf of the Bookroom Fund, is due to be taken in congregations during February.
W Campbell, General Treasurer
FREE PRESBYTERIAN PLACES OF WORSHIP
Scotland
Aberdeen: 2 Alford Place, AB10 1YD, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Tuesday, 7.15 pm. Rev D W B Somerset BSc DPhil, 18 Carlton Place, Aberdeen, AB15 4BQ; tel: 01224 645250.
Bracadale Duirinish-Strath: Struan: Sabbath 12 noon. Glendale and Vatten: Sabbath 6pm, alternately. Thursday 7 pm, rotating between Struan, Vatten and Glendale. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Dingwall: Church, Hill Street: Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Beauty (Balblair): Sabbath 6.30 pm, Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev Neil M Ross BA, 10 Achany Rd, Dingwall, IV15 9JB; tel/fax: 01349 864351, e-mail: nmross2001@yahoo.co.uk.
Dornoch: Sabbath 11.30 am. Manse tel: 01862 810615. Bonar: Sabbath 6 pm. Wednesday 7.30 pm (alternately in Dornoch and Bonar). Lairg: Church and Manse; Rogart: Church; no F P services. Contact Rev N M Ross; tel: 01349 864351.
Dundee: Manse. No F P Church services.
Edinburgh: 63 Gilmore Place, EH3 9NU, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev D Campbell, 35B Barnton Avenue West, Edinburgh EH4 6DF; tel: 0131 312 8227, e-mail: dcampbell1560@gmail.com.
Farr (by Daviot): Sabbath 12 noon. Tomatin: Sabbath 12 noon. Stratherrick: Sabbath 12 noon. (Each of these services is held once in three weeks as intimated). Farr: Thursday 7.30 pm (as intimated). Contact Mr M J Schouten; tel: 01463 221776.
Fort William: Monzie Square, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm as intimated. Manse: 15 Perth Place, PH33 6UL; tel: 01397 708553. Contact Mr D A McKinnon. Tel: 01397 702597.
Gairloch (Ross-shire): Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm. Prayer meeting in Strath, Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev A E W MacDonald MA, F P Manse, Gairloch, Ross-shire, IV21 2BS; tel: 01445 712247.
Glasgow: St Jude’s Church, 137 Woodlands Road, G3 6LE. Sabbath 11 am and 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev Roderick MacLeod BA, 4 Laurel Park Close, Glasgow, G13 1RD; tel: 0141 954 3759.
Greenock: Sabbath 2.30 pm, held in Free Church of Scotland Hall, 14 Jamaica Street, PA15 1XX.
Halkirk: Sabbath 11.30 am; Thursday 7.30 pm. Rev W A Weale, F P Manse, Bridge Street, KW12 6YG; tel: 01847 831758. Thurso: Sabbath 5 pm; Wick: Church; Strathy: Church; no F P Church services.
Harris (North): Tarbert: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7 pm. Stockinsh: Tuesday 7 pm. Rev J B Jardine BD, F P Manse, Tarbert, Isle of Harris, HS3 3QF; tel: 01859 502253, e-mail: northharris.fpc@btopenworld.com.
Harris (South): Leverburgh: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm. Sheilobost: Sabbath 12 noon (as intimated). Prayer meetings in Leverburgh, Sheilobost and Strond as intimated. Rev K D Macleod BSc, F P Manse, Leverburgh, HS5 3UA; tel: 01859 520271.
Inverness: Chapel Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr A MacRae; tel: 01463 790521.
Kinlochbervie: Sabbath 11.30 am; Tuesday 7.30 pm. Manse tel: 01971 521268. Scourie: Sabbath 6 pm.
Kyle of Lochalsh: Sabbath 6 pm. Manse tel: 01599 534933. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Laide (Ross-shire): Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev D A Ross, F P Manse, Laide, IV22 2NB; tel: 01445 731340.
Lochcarron: Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Manse.
Lochinver: Church. No F P services at present. Manse tel: 01571 844484.
Ness: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev A W MacColl MA PhD, F P Manse, Swainbost, HS2 0TA; tel: 01851 810228.
North Tolsta: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Thursday 7 pm; 1st Monday of month 7 pm. Manse tel: 01851 890325. Contact Rev J R Tallach; tel: 01851 702501.
North Uist: Bayhead: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm (fortnightly). Sollas: Wednesday 7.30 pm (fortnightly). Rev D Macdonald BA, F P Manse, Bayhead, North Uist, HS6 5DS; tel: 01876 510233.
Oban: Church and Manse. No F P services at present.
Perth: Pomarium, off Leonard Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Rev D Campbell; tel: 0131 312 8227.
Portree: Sabbath 12 noon, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev I D MacDonald, F P Manse, Achachork, Portree, IV51 9HT; tel: 01478 612110.
Raasay: Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Saturday 7 pm. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Shieldaig: Sabbath 11 am; Applecross: Sabbath 6pm. Tuesday 7 pm (alternately in Shieldaig and Applecross). Shieldaig manse tel: 01520 755259, Applecross manse tel: 01520 744411. Contact Rev D A Ross; tel: 01445 731340.
Staffin: Sabbath 12 noon, 5 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Manse tel: 01470 562243. Contact Rev I D MacDonald; tel: 01478 612110.
Stornoway: Matheson Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Thursday 7.30 pm. Achmore: Sabbath 12 noon; Tuesday 7 pm. Rev J R Tallach MB ChB, 2 Fleming Place, Stornoway, HS1 2NH; tel: 01851 702501.
Tain: Church and Manse. Fearn: Church. No F P services. See Dornoch and Bonar.
Uig (Lewis) Miavaig: Sabbath 12 noon Gaelic, 6 pm English; Wednesday 12 noon. Manse tel: 01851 672251. Contact Rev A W MacColl; tel: 01851 810228.
Ullapool: Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Manse: Quay Street, IV26 2UE; tel: 01854 612449.
England
Barnoldswick: Kelbrook Road, Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Friday 7.30 pm; Wednesday 8 pm, alternately in Sandbach and Gatley. South Manchester: Sabbath 6.00 pm, in Trinity Church, Massie Street, Cheadle (entry at rear of building). Rev K M Watkins BA, 252 Briercliffe Road, Burnley, BB10 2DQ; tel: 01282 835800.
Broadstairs: Sabbath 11 am, 5 pm at Portland Centre, Hopeville Ave, St Peter’s; Tuesday 7 pm at Friends’ Meeting House, St Peter’s Park Rd. Contact Dr T Martin; tel: 01843 866369.
London: Zoar Chapel, Varden St, E1. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Rev J MacLeod MA, 6 Church Ave, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BU; tel: 0208 309 1623.
Northern Ireland
Larne: Station Road. Sabbath 11.30 am, 6.30 pm. Contact Rev K M Watkins; tel: 01282 835800.
Canada
Chesley, Ontario: Church and Manse, 40 Fourth Street SW. Sabbath 10.30 am, 7.30 pm; Tuesday 8 pm. Contact: Manse tel: 519 363 2502.
Vancouver, British Columbia: Contact: Mr David Kuiper; tel: 519 363 0367; or Mr Gilbert Zekveld; tel: 519 363 5899.
USA
Santa Fe, Texas: Church and Manse, 4031 Jackson St 77517. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Contact Mr Joseph Smith; tel: 409 927 1564.
Australia
Grafton, NSW: 172 Fitzroy Street. Sabbath 11 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G G Hutton BA PhD, 3 Martin Crescent, Junction Hill, NSW 2460; tel: (02) 6644 6174; e-mail: grafton@internode.on.net.
Sydney, NSW: Corner of Oxford and Regent Streets, Riverstone. Sabbath 10.30 am, 6.30 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev G B Macdonald BSc, 60 Hamilton St, Riverstone, NSW 2765; tel: (02) 9627 3408; e-mail: sydneyfpchurch@aapt.net.au.
New Zealand
Auckland: 45 Church Street, Otahuhu. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev J D Smith, 9 Pedlar Place, Conifer Grove, Auckland; tel: 09 282 4195.
Gisborne: 463a Childers Road. Sabbath 11 am, 6 pm; Wednesday 7.30 pm. Rev C Hembd, 14 Thomson St, Gisborne 4010; tel: 06 863 3140.
Tauranga: 45 Cliff Road, Sabbath 11 am, 7 pm; Wednesday 7 pm. Contact: Mr Dick Vermeulen; tel: 075443677.
Wellington (Carterton): Senior Citizens’ Hall, 150 High Street North. Sabbath 11 am, 4 pm; 3rd Wednesday of the month (not secondary school holidays) 7.30 pm. Contact: Mr Hank Optland, P O Box 150, Carterton, 5743; tel: 027 432 5625.
Singapore
Singapore: Sabbath: 9.30am and 5.30 pm; Beacon International College, 70 Martaban Road, Singapore 328667 (entrance is opposite 37/39 Mandalay Road); Wednesday: 7.45 pm, Lion Building B, #02-11, 12 Arumugam Road, Singapore 409958. Contact: Mr Bernard Yong, 4 Chuan Place, Singapore 554822; tel: (65) 6383 4466, fax: 6383 4477, e-mail: byong1@singnet.com.sg.
Ukraine
Odessa: F P Mission Station, 3 Pestelya St, 65031. Sabbath 12 noon, 6 pm; Wednesday 6 pm. Rev D Levitskyi; tel: 00 38 048 7851924; e-mail: dlevitskyi@gmail.com; or contact Mr I Zadorozhnyi, P O Box 100, Odessa-91, 65091; e-mail: antipa@eurocom.od.ua.
Zimbabwe
Bulawayo: Lobengula Township, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo. Rev S Khumalo, F P Manse, Stand No 56004, Mazwi Road, Lobengula, PO Magwegwe, Bulawayo; tel: 00263 9407131, e-mail: skhumalo.byo@gmail.com.
Ingwenya: Church and Secondary School. Rev A B MacLean. Postal Address: Ingwenya Mission, Private Bag T5445, Bulawayo.
Mbuma: Church and Hospital. Rev N Sibanda. Postal Address: Mbuma Mission Hospital, Private Bag T5406, Bulawayo.
New Canaan: Church.
Zenka: Church. Rev M Mloyi. Postal Address: Private Bag T5398, Bulawayo; cell phone: 00263 (0)712 765032.