FLI Catholic Conference 2007

I don't know if anyone went to this as a result of my previous post advertising it but I just wanted to share with you all my experiences of yesterday.

It was an incredible day, there were five inspirational talks given by five inspirational speakers.

The first was Fr Linus Clovis the Spiritual Director of Family Life International and eldest of five Clovis boys who basically run FLI. Fr Clovis single-handedly fought pro-choice legislation in the Caribbean. His talk was 'Marriage: a reflection of the inner life of the Blessed Trinity'. It was so obvious when you think about it but you need someone to say it, the relationship between husband and wife should reflect the relationship of the Persons of the Blessed Trinity who are perfect Love, Life and Truth.

The second was the most inspirational for me, Professor Thomas Healy, a retired Anaesthiologist, gave a powerful personal testimony of his experience with modern medicine in this country and how it is geared toward anti-life ethics. His talk was originally called 'Abortion! The silent Holocaust' but he changed it at the last minute to 'The child who has no tomorrow and the mother who cannot take back yesterday'. This talk had such an effect on me I have given him a seperate post below.

Third was Antonia Tully, wife of Paul Tully and mother of their 6 children. She was talking to us about the work of SPUC in schools to fight against the modern sex education programmes which have even infiltrated Catholic catechesis in this area.

Fourth was Patricia Morgan who herself isn't Catholic but uses her position as secular journalist to promote Catholic Family Values. Her talk was entitled 'What's wrong with gay adoption?' and basically said the list would be shorter if the question was 'What's right with gay adoption?' She told us about the Gay Liberation Front Manisfesto of 1971, which at the time was laughed at but has now, under Tony Blair's leadership, become the norm and anything contrary to it is 'homophobic'. She gave an example of Patricia Hewitt who in the 60's and 70's was considered one of the most dangerous feminist activists in the country, now she's in government and we are wondering why feminism is spiralling out of control!

The fifth talk was the most inspiring spiritually. It was given by Fr Fidelis Moscinski, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal, and he said all we need to do is read the Popes, especially Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, obey them and pray. We can do nothing else! Without prayer and conversion pro-lifers will be quashed. You could tell how inspirational this talk was at the end when the compere invited any questions and there was silence!

FLI do a lot of fantastic work and provide these conferences every year. I urge you to visit their website www.flionline.org and to come to next year's conference.