Courtney McGrailDear Editor, Fr Joe McDonald has written in response to my letter of October 20 to state that his views on abortion are not in conflict with the teaching of the Church (Letters, IC 10/11/2016). He adds that I have confused the teaching of the Church with the preaching of God’s mercy. I hope that I may be allowed to respond to him on both points.
My reference to Fr McDonald’s opinions was based on an interview he gave to Donal Lynch, published in The Sunday Independent on September 18. In that article he was quoted as having said he “would be open to hearing what would be the proposed laws which replace the Eighth Amendment. I draw a big distinction between some girl who was raped or whose child will not survive and other scenarios”. As (so far as I aware) Fr McDonald has not written to the newspaper to contradict its report, it has to be assumed that he was quoted correctly.
In that case Fr McDonald’s position is indisputably at odds with the teaching of the Church. That teaching knows no exception to its commitment to the defence of the life of the unborn child. It must be assumed that Fr McDonald knows that. Furthermore the Church is not “open” to proposed laws to replace the Eighth Amendment; on the contrary, it is opposed to the repeal of that amendment.
It must be assumed that Fr McDonald is also aware of that. In that case it is to be hoped that either Fr McDonald will withdraw his earlier statements or that he will be censured.
Contrary to Fr McDonald I have not confused the Church’s teaching on abortion and the preaching of God’s mercy. Pope Francis preaches both the mercy of God and absolute opposition to abortion.
In the case of crisis pregnancies mercy should be expressed by aid to the expectant mothers, not by approving abortions.
Yours etc.,
C.D.C. Armstrong,
Belfast, Co. Antrim