Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, East Kilbride

08/09/2026

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀

It is deeply troubling to hear that SNP members may be asked to vote on a motion seeking to remove legal protections relating to self-administered abortion in Scotland. Human life possesses inherent dignity and worth from conception until natural death, and any proposal that would further weaken safeguards for unborn children, including abortion up to the point of birth and s*x-selective abortion, raises profound moral and ethical concerns.

I urge the SNP, and all parties and politicians, to uphold both compassion for women facing difficult pregnancies and protection for the most vulnerable members of our human family. Rather than expanding access to abortion, Scotland should focus on providing practical support to mothers, children and families, ensuring that no woman feels alone or without alternatives.

What the people of Scotland need now is for government, political parties and MSPs to focus on the priorities that affect daily life: easing the cost-of-living pressures facing households, addressing the housing crisis, strengthening local health services, improving access to high-quality palliative care, and working for peace and reconciliation both at home and abroad. We do not need an extreme abortion law. Scotland deserves better.

08/09/2026

Today, 8 September, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Church has marked Mary’s birth since at least the sixth century, rejoicing in the life of the woman chosen to become the Mother of Jesus.

St Augustine connects Mary’s birth with Christ’s saving work, describing her as the flower from whom the precious lily bloomed. Her birth points us towards the dawn of our salvation and reminds us of God’s loving plan unfolding through her life.

On this special feast, we ask Our Lady to pray for us and for peace in our hearts, our communities and our world.

Our Lady, Mother of God, pray for us.

08/09/2026

The People of God must pray and work to ensure this doesn’t happen in our Church.

Vicars are becoming an “endangered species” because of a “crisis” in clergy numbers, the Church of England has been warned.

A new report by the campaign group Save the Parish found that the number of Anglican ministers and candidates for ordination is in decline because of “demoralisation”.

🔗 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/03/vicars-now-an-endangered-species/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_fb_photo

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

https://www.ourladyoflourdeschurch.org.uk/bulletin/
06.09.26

If you need software to open the bulletin, Please click the link below:- To download the latest copy of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Bulletin please click on the link below. 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time…

05/09/2026

The readings this Sunday remind us that God calls us to care for one another, especially by lovingly correcting and guiding those who may be going astray. Jesus teaches that we should not judge or condemn, but approach others with humility, patience, and genuine concern for their well-being. When we act with love and forgiveness, we help build a community where God’s presence is truly found among us.

03/09/2026

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻: 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱

I note with concern the Scottish Government’s response to a recent parliamentary question on abortion law and access to later-stage abortion services. While the Government has indicated that it has no immediate plans to reform abortion law in 2026–27, it has also reaffirmed its intention to consult on the recommendations of the abortion law review advisory group and to establish a nationally commissioned later-stage abortion service in Scotland.

The advisory group, which excluded prolife voices and which adopted a principle of “non-regression” on abortion provision, lacks both legitimacy and credibility. It has made radical recommendations to the Scottish Government which, if implemented, would effectively permit abortion up to birth for any reason and remove the current requirement for two doctors to approve abortions up to 24 weeks. It is astonishing that the report also recommends that future legislation should make no reference to s*x-selective abortion, paving the way for unborn babies to be aborted simply because they are deemed to be the wrong s*x.

I recognise the real fear, pressure and hardship that can accompany an unexpected or crisis pregnancy. Women in such circumstances deserve compassion, practical assistance, emotional support and the assurance that neither they nor their children will be abandoned. A truly caring society must respond to vulnerability by offering hope and help, not by making abortion more readily available at later stages of pregnancy.

The establishment of later-stage abortion provision in Scotland, alongside proposals to weaken existing legal safeguards, raises grave moral and social questions. Every unborn child is a unique human life deserving of protection, and every mother should be supported in ways that uphold her dignity and the dignity of her child. I therefore make a direct appeal to all elected representatives who recognise the inherent dignity of every human life, to reject any further liberalisation of abortion provisions in Scotland and to oppose measures that would remove essential safeguards or further weaken protection for unborn children.

I urge the Scottish Government and all MSPs to prioritise policies that expand support for women and families, reduce the pressures that lead to abortion, and foster a culture in which every life is welcomed and protected from conception to natural death. Scotland should aspire to be a nation where compassion means standing with both mother and child.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the National Office for Marriage, Family and Life, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

02/09/2026

Peter from ACN Scotland saying a word of thanks for your support.

02/09/2026

A new Assisted Dying Bill will be debated in Parliament on 11 September. My opposition to this proposed legislation remains unchanged – if anything it has strengthened.