A fairly random week in which the plot of “The Children Act” proved – sadly – to be Art imitating Life…

Jehovah’s Witnesses and blood products

The BBC reports that the Family Division of the High Court has been asked to rule on whether a teenage Jehovah’s Witness with leukaemia should be treated with blood products against his wishes.

The issues were examined by Francis J at a preliminary hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London and the case is expected to go to a full hearing in the near future. John McKendrick QC, on behalf of the unnamed NHS Trust, said that the boy had refused consent to treatment and was “extremely articulate about his Jehovah’s Witness faith”. The Trust is currently respecting the boy’s views and doctors are not treating him with blood products.

Anglican-Methodist reunion

On Friday, the Faith and Order Commissions of the Church of England and the Methodist Church published a report containing four recommendations that the Church of England’s General Synod will be asked to approve in July. Continue reading →