In brief

Ward leads pilgrimage
ARCHBISHOP John Aloysius Ward of Cardiff led more than 300 pilgrims to the shrine of St David Lewis in Usk, Monmouthshire on Sunday.
The archbishop challenged the pilgrims, from parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Cardiff, to draw inspiration from the loyalty of St David Lewis.
He said: 'Catholics in Wales are not put to death for their Catholic Faith today but they are called to stand up for their Faith in various ways." St David Lewis, a Jesuit priest, was executed at Usk on August 27, 1679. He was among the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales canonised by Pope Paul VI in Rome on October 25, 1970.
Disabled seek 'radical' change
A COMMISSION set up to defend the rights of disabled people has called for a "radical change" in public opinion on the selective abortion of disabled unborn children.
Liz Sayce, director of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC), said that although she believed women should be given the choice whether to bear disabled chil
dren, their decision should "not be influenced by prejudices and unfounded fears about disability".
"This would he a key signal to disabled people that attitudes in Britain are changing towards equality," she said.
The DRC admitted last week, under pressure from the pro-life charity Life, that the Abortion Act was "offensive" to many disabled people and reinforced "negative stereotypes of disability".
The DRC was sec by the Gov cinment follow ing the Disability Rights Commission Act 1999.
Last year 1,700 unborn children were aborted on grounds of disability.
New musical for schools
A NEW Christian musical is to be released telling the Gospel story.
The Gospel Story by Nick Perrin will be published for schools in January. The musical has been designed for children to perliirm and has already been tested in a number of schools where it has been well received.
John Kenward, of Starshine Music, which is producing the musical. said: "We have had tremendous feedback so far. The musical will contain a score, lyrics and a CD complete with instrumental backing tracks so that anyone can do it."
More information can be found on their web site at www.starshine.co.uk