EU bishops criticise Macron’s abortion right proposal

News in brief.

EU bishops criticise Macron’s abortion right proposal. French president Emmanuel  Macron plans to introduce proposals during France’s current presidency of the EU to have abortion recognised as a fundamental human right. This proposal has drawn strong criticism from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the bishops representing the Roman Catholic Church at the EU. The Catholic bishops not only criticise the legal basis for Macron’s proposal, but say it will threaten the integration of the EU. Read more. 

Evangelical churches in Spain protest ‘liberal’ reforms. Twelve denominations of evangelical churches united this week in protests against legislative proposals that they argue are a threat to religious freedom and freedom of conscience, including a recognition in Spain of greater rights for transgender people, and a proposed ban on conversion therapy for LGBTI people. Read more. 

Ban proposed on certain flower arrangements in English churches. The Church of England’s Synod is looking at plans to ban certain kinds of flower arrangements from church services, including weddings and funerals. The move is intended to discourage the use of foam and other plastics which are not biodegradable. Read more.

Spotlight on Aalborg.

Gug Church (Nøhr Sørensens Vej 7, 9210) is a striking church in the modernist, brutalist style, with a monumental glass and concrete facade. Designed by Inger and Johannes Exner, it was consecrated in 1972. Built on a slope overlooking Aalborg, the four levels of the church grow in size height following the contours of the hill, with smaller spaces for offices and group activities at the top, and the largest space for the church on the ground floor. The interior is lit by hundred of small bulbs hanging from the ceiling, and a sculpture by Hein Heinsen above the altar, with paintings by Stig Brøgger behind the pulpit

Monastery of the Holy Ghost (Klosterjordet 1, 9000). Founded in the 15th century on an endowment from Lady Maren Hemmingsdatter, the monastery with walled gardens became a hospital run by the Order of the Holy Ghost, specialising in the care of lepers. During the Reformation, the Order of the Holy Ghost was dissolved and the hospital secularised, with most of the monks and nuns continuing to work at the hospital in a secular capacity. The hospital continued to serve the city of Aalborg until the 1950s.

Saint Gilbert of Sempringham.

Saint Gilbert was born in Sempringham, Lincolnshire in around 1000. Gilbert spent most of his education in France, then returned to England. He used his inheritance to establish a religious order that became known as the Gilbertines, which grew to several thousand members before being ruthlessly dissolved during the reign of Henry VIII.