24 November 1980/27 November 1995

Love and laughter in a rare marriage – 1980

She’s never seen the man she loves. He’s never held her hand in his. Maureen Pranghofer is blind, and has to wear a leg brace because of a genetic bone disease, while her husband Paul was born with no arms and his right leg is 60cm shorter than his left. Yet, they laugh as much as most young couples, and they’ve managed to work out a unique, mutually delightful relationship that has as its cornerstone their faith in God. Because they depend on each other so much, they have developed a kind of special closeness very few couples do.

Doctors acquitted of killing newborn babies – 1995

A Dutch Catholic official has criticised the acquittal of doctors on trial for killing badly deformed newborn babies. “The decisions effectively expand euthanasia to cover cases in which patients cannot themselves make the decision to die,” said Dutch Bishops’ Conference spokesperson Peter Van Zoest. “The cases were decided by the lower courts and the government is expected to appeal directly to the High Court,” he continued.