Michael Paterson-Seymour

Paul Ryan’s recent off-the-cuff statement that he supports gay adoption while he opposes gay marriage is as likely to be a one-time slip as a change in position. Whether or not it represents his real view, it certainly is gaining traction among some Christians. This trend reveals a profound ignorance of the reasons for opposing same-sex marriage even among those who do oppose it… . Continue Reading »

In the U.K., two Catholic midwives, Mary Teresa Doogan and Concepta Wood , have just won an important court case regarding the conscience clause in the Abortion Act 1967 . Although this is a Scottish case, the Act applies to England and Wales, too, so the decision has implications for the whole of . . . . Continue Reading »

Were Joseph and Mary married? The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestants teach that Mary remained “ever virgin.” Some, though, claim that a marriage has to be consummated to constitute a real marriage. Is this true? And what is the Church’s position on such marriages . . . . Continue Reading »

Regarding Roger Scruton’s quarrel with Paul Griffiths about the relation of marriage to the state, Lord Stowell’s analysis in Dalrymple v Dalrymple seems very apposite: Marriage in its origin is a contract of natural law; it may exist between two individuals of different sexes although . . . . Continue Reading »

Regarding  Amy Wax’s discussion of abortion and child support : As long as the law guarantees to a woman the absolute, unqualified and unconditional right, regardless of age or status, to give birth anonymously (as some 400 French women do every year, down from 4,000 in 1947), . . . . Continue Reading »