Greg Daly
Elphin’s Bishop Kevin Doran has called on Sinn Féin to clarify its position on attempts in the British parliament to impose abortion law in the North, something the party has previously opposed as an exercise of British authority in the region.
Bishop Doran’s comments came after senior figures in Sinn Féin welcomed the proposed liberalisation of abortion in the North as detailed in an amendment to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Act, with a statement from the party saying it “welcomed legislative change” in this area.
An amendment to the act will force the introduction of abortion on demand in the North up to 24 (or possibly 28 weeks), unless the Northern Ireland Assembly is restored by October 21.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic about Sinn Féin’s support for the amendment, Dr Doran highlighted how this appears to stand in sharp contrast to the party’s previous stance.
“What strikes me very forcibly is that senior figures in Sinn Féin have welcomed the legislation, imposed by Westminster on the people of Northern Ireland,” he said. “Sinn Féin have long told the electorate that they reject the extension of the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland and I think it is very important at this stage that they clarify their position, because that is precisely what this new legislation proposes to bring about.”
Irish bishops have already criticised Westminster for undermining the Good Friday Agreement by attempting to legislate in this devolved area, Dr Doran said.
“The equal right to life, and love, of a mother and her unborn child is so fundamental to the common good of every society that citizens deserve the fullest participation in the democratic debate about the legislation which governs it,” he quoted the Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland as having said in a statement.
“What is happening in Westminster during these days recklessly undermines this fundamental right of citizens and the principle of devolution at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement,” the Northern bishops added.