Friday, May 28, 2010

First Reply from abortion provider: Debate, circulate.

I've just received a very courteous and gracious reply from Tony Kerridge, Senior Communications Manager (Press and Public Affairs)Marie Stopes International to my questions.

Here's the full text:

Dear Mr Gilbert-Smith

Thank you for your email and your honesty.

As I'm sure you will appreciate, as the senior manager in charge of MSI’s media activity around this advertisement, the past two weeks have been particularly hectic and pressurised.

I want to respond to your 20 questions, and I want to do so properly. In order to do this, I will need a little time, as the answers in this debate are never ‘yes’ or ‘no’, or black and white.

I am not in the office on Tuesday next after the bank holiday, so will pick up on these on my return.

I hope this is ok for your schedule. I wanted you to know that your questions will not be disregarded.

Regards.

Here's my reply...


Dear Mr Kerridge,

Thank you very much for you kind and swift reply. I would much rather that you replied in a careful and nuanced fashion than quickly in a way that would cause more heat than light, so I am most grateful to you for taking time to answer. I am also thankful for your commitment not to disregard my questions.

I shall delay writing any articles until I have received your reply. Though I will be saying a few words this Sunday, in representing the position of Marie Stopes I shall not say anything about you that is not on your website.

I am away for next week on a family holiday, so will not receive the email until the following week.

Looking forward to your reply.

Very sincerely,

Mike Gilbart-Smith.
 

6 comments:

Leigh said...

OK.. We're all waiting to read his responses to your questions!

Mike Gilbart-Smith said...

Thanks for the prompt, Leigh.
Sent another email today:

Hi Tony,
It’s now over two months since your last contact on this. I was wondering if you could give some indication as to when I might expect the reply that you promised.
Thanks so much,
Sincerely,
Mike Gilbart-Smith

Good Counsel said...

Your letter to Marie Stopes was excellent. I can see why there has been no reply. I wonder if you have come across the 40 Days for Life Movement? They are currently witnessing prayerfully at a Marie Stopes abortuary in central london, every day and even all night when they can. They are inviting Christians of all denominations to come prayerfully to support this witness. See www.40daysforlife.com/London . Individual Churches can book a whole day, or any time slot which they will cover, if they choose. I hope you will consider attending. With prayers for your approach to MS. Clare

Mike Gilbart-Smith said...

So, a few months and several emails later, still no reply. Feel free to email Tony Kerridge yourself asking that he reply. Perhaps if he gets emails from several people he will be more inclined to reply.
Mike

Clare@ BattlementsOfRubies said...

Good idea Mike.
I'm going to email him!

me said...

God bless your work. We'll all start praying for the Lord, of His grace, to give him an illumination of conscience !!