Colm Fitzpatrick
With opinion polls tightening on the repeal of the Eighth Amendment this month, several Church leaders have stepped up their campaign to promote the right to life of the unborn.
Over the bank holiday weekend, seven bishops across Ireland issued pastoral statements in a bid to influence more people to vote ‘No’ in the May referendum.
Waterford and Lismore’s bishop Alphonsus Cullinan emphasised the scientific developments of unborn children, stating that they share “the same humanity and human right as all of us.” Focusing on the same theme, Kerry’s bishop Ray Browne said that modern medicine and science have revealed so much about “the nine-month journey” of pregnancy.
“Today we are in a position to see photographic evidence of all of this. From the earliest days, parents and healthcare professionals alike speak of expecting a baby,” Bishop Browne said. Complementing this perspective, Bishop of Killaloe, Fintan Monahan stated on May 4 that we must clearly state that abortion is the direct killing of a human being, and it is not up to other human beings to decide who should live or die.
Bishop of Clonfert, John Kirby pointed out that the growing child conceived in “violations” such as “rape” must not become the victim, and that women must be respected in any Christian society. He added that “all possible life-affirming support” for the mother and her baby is “paramount” in such traumatic circumstances.
Ossory’s bishop Dermot Farrell stated that a man is equally responsible for a pregnancy, adding that a child’s father indirectly encourages the mother to seek an abortion if he abandons her.
“In this regard abortion visits harm not only on women, but also on men and the surviving children,” Bishop Farrell said.
Concentrating on the importance of debate and discernment Cloyne’s bishop William Crean said that we must seek the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, as well as be “alert to subtleties that seek to take us down side-tracks”.
Meath’s bishop Michael Smith said he hopes that society will continue to put compassion and care at its heart, so that we can hand on to “future generations a vision for society that it is truly “inclusive”.