Catholic Charity Hits Out At Rise In Levels Of Casual Sex

Casual sex is more common today than a decade ago, according to the co-ordinator of the Catholic Church’s controversial “cash-for-babies” scheme, which celebrates its tenth anniversary next week.

Sister Roseann Reddy, who runs the Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative, said the scheme, which has saved as many as 70 babies’ lives and assisted more than 2,200 women faced with a crisis pregnancy, was busier than ever as a result of increased promiscuity in society.

The initiative was launched in 1997 by Cardinal Thomas Winning, who died in 2001, to offer financial assistance to women contemplating abortion.

Yesterday, Sister Reddy said sex had become “a recreational sport” to many people and there had been a collapse in moral guidance, which had led, in particular, to an increase in teenage pregnancy.

She said: “The breakdown of society is worse today than ten years ago. Behaviour is getting worse – it is not material poverty. Casual sex is more common. There are a lot of people who should know better. We don’t have that life vision any more. Sex has become a recreational sport for many youngsters. There are more casual relationships and women are drinking more.”

Of more than 2,200 pregnant women seen over the ten years – only a dozen went ahead with abortions.

Sister Reddy said the initiative helped women make their decisions and gave practical support to cope with pregnancy and motherhood. The anniversary will be celebrated with a mass next Friday at Holy Cross Church in Glasgow.