More bishops and priests across Ireland have added their voice to the pro-life cause in the lead up to the May 25 referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment.
Galway’s bishop Brendan Kelly said on May 12 that central to love is solidarity, which entails the support of others, including new life. He noted that this year we are focusing on the “gift of family” in anticipation for the World Meeting of Families, stressing that we must not “abandon the tiniest of human life” by removing from them the right to life.
On the same day, Mgsr Joseph McGuinness from the Diocese of Clogher said that the upcoming referendum is about the right of every human being to exist, adding that the current constitutional provision does not prefer the mother’s rights of her child’s, but recognises them equally.
Echoing these sentiments, Cashel and Emly Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA, said that the child in the womb is a person with potential not a potential person. He added that the unborn are “in the weakest of all positions” and must be protected.
Killala’s bishop John Fleming, also emphasised on Sunday that the teaching of the Catholic Church on the sacredness of human life is clear, referencing Pope Francis’ message that the dignity of all human life demands love regardless of his or her stage of development.