To the comment regarding "stifling any kind of progress": The Church founded the concept of universities and colleges which often began as "cathedral" schools. And have you heard how the Irish saved western civilization? The Irish monks, I mean, who copied manuscript after manuscript in their scriptoriums one step before the Viking hordes? How about the contributions of Roger Bacon to science, or the Jesuits? You do know,of course, that the study of genetics was begun by a monk, right? As was the concept of accounting? And I could go on and on about the contributions of the Church and Churchmen through the centuries (Augustine, Anselm, Thomas Aquinas, et al). You obviously are a small-minded, uneducated and "stifled" individual. Thank God the Church is again speaking out about the stifling of life in the millions of aborted babies that are unable to contribute anything but their martyrdom to our civilization.

Delaney, Chandler, Arizona

The government was elected to do what the majority want, and that is what they're doing.
There are 10,000,000 abortions a year in China, where the abortion rate is more than twice as high.

Dave, Southampton, UK

Guy Fawkes! give me a break. Why not toss in the Penal Laws, Cromwell and the Popish Plot - just for balance. Please discuss the legislation on its merits. The Cardinal is doing just that. Finally, churchmen are beginning to speak up. Let us stop the abortion carnage before the West self destructs.

Cathal Gallagher
California

Cathal Gallagher, San Jose, U.S.A

"Light in the darkness."

Hmmm.....funny that. I've never seen wearing preposterous outfits, large hats and (let's face it) gruesome trinkets whilst stifling any kind of progress imaginable as being 'light'. More like the rapidly vanishing shadows in the radiant dawn of Enlightenment....

Carl Waring, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

This country's church is the Church of England. We tolerate other faiths, despite the occasional terrorism of their members (Guy Fawkes; the King David Hotel; July 7; etc). But there it ends. I am happy that they should guide their own flocks, but can they keep their sticky fingers out of the lives of the rest of us, please?

Alex, London,

I am very pleased to see the Cardinal taking a lead in this important matter; he is spot on!

John Chorlton, Slough, UK

I'm glad the Cardinal has spoken out with such clarity and hope very much that his voice will be heeded. He is absolutely spot on in everything he says.

michael, harrogate, uk

Light in the darkness.

Father Bryan Storey, Tintagel, UK