 |
Gracious God, your
Son Jesus Christ
gave us the confidence
to call you Father. We believe you care for
us. We believe also
in the communion
of saints. With
confidence we ask
St. Jude, patron of
difficult cases, to pray
with us, for our
special intentions....
Thank you, God,
for hearing our prayer.
|
|
Initial response by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference to the Report of the Expert Group on the Judgement in A,B and C v Ireland
(December 5th 2012)
A society that believes the right to life is the most fundamental of allrights cannot ignore the fact that abortion is first and foremost a moralissue. As a society we have a particular responsibility to ensure this right isupheld on behalf of those who are defenceless, voiceless or vulnerable. Thisincludes our duty as a society to defend and promote the equal right to lifeof a pregnant mother and the innocent and defenceless child in her womb whenthe life of either of these persons is at risk.
By virtue of their common humanity the life of a mother and her unborn babyare both sacred. They have an equal right to life. The Catholic Church hasnever taught that the life of a child in the womb should be preferred tothat of a mother. Where a seriously ill pregnant woman needs medicaltreatment which may put the life of her baby at risk, such treatments aremorally permissible provided every effort has been made to save the life ofboth the mother and her baby.
Abortion, understood as the direct and intentional destruction of an unbornbaby, is gravely immoral in all circumstances. This is different frommedical treatments which do not directly and intentionally seek to end thelife of the unborn baby.
Current law and medical guidelines in Ireland allow nurses and doctors inIrish hospitals to apply this vital distinction in practice. This has beenan important factor in ensuring that Irish hospitals are among the safestand best in the world in terms of medical care for both a mother and herunborn baby during pregnancy. As a country this is something we shouldcherish, promote and protect.
The Report of the Expert Group on the Judgement in A, B and C v Ireland hasput forward options that could end the practice of making this vital ethicaldistinction in Irish hospitals. Of the four options presented by the Report,three involve abortion - the direct and intentional killing of an unbornchild. This can never be morally justified. The judgement of the EuropeanCourt of Human Rights does not oblige the Irish Government to legislate forabortion.
Other aspects of the Report also give rise to concerns. These include, butare not limited to the fact that:
- The judgement of the European Court of Human Rights permitsoptions on this matter of fundamental moral, social and constitutionalimportance that are not offered by this Report. This includes the option ofintroducing a constitutional prohibition on abortion or another form ofconstitutional amendment to reverse the 'X-case' judgement.
- The Report provides no ethical analysis of the options available,even though this is first and foremost a moral issue and consideration ofthe ethical dimension was included in the Terms of Reference.
- The Report takes no account of the risks involved in trying tolegislate for so-called 'limited abortion' within the context of the'X-case' judgement. The 'X-case' judgement includes the threat of suicideas grounds for an abortion. International experience shows that allowingabortion on the grounds of mental health effectively opens the floodgatesfor abortion.
The Report also identifies Guidelines as an option. It notes thatGuidelines can help to ensure consistency in the delivery of medicaltreatment. If Guidelines can provide greater clarity as to when life-savingtreatment may be provided to a pregnant mother or her unborn child withinthe existing legislative framework, and where the direct and intentionalkilling of either person continues to be excluded, then such ethically soundGuidelines may offer a way forward.
A matter of this importance deserves sufficient time for a calm, rationaland informed debate to take place before any decision about the optionsoffered by the Expert Group Report are taken. All involved, especiallypublic representatives, must consider the profound moral questions thatarise in responding to this Report. Abortion is gravely immoral in allcircumstances, no matter how 'limited' access to abortion may be.
Notes
As part of the Bishops' Conference Day for Life initiative this year, thebishops have promoted the following pastoral material in parishes throughoutIreland - North and South:
- A new dedicated website and social media presence wereestablished www.chooselife2012.ie and on social media: Choose Life 2012 onFacebook, and @Chooselife2012 on Twitter: and, on YouTube. The new website www.chooselife2012.ie hosts prayer material for parishes as well as twovideos comprising insightful and brave personal testimonies of parentsdiscussing human life in the womb and the need to protect life
- 'Choose Life: Prayer for the Child in the Womb'
Lord Jesus, you are the source and lover of life.
Reawaken in us respect for every human life.
Help us to see in each child the marvellous work of our Creator.
Open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift.
Guide the work of doctors, nurses and midwives.
May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally cherished and respected.
Help those who make our laws to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life,
from the first moment of conception to natural death.
Give us wisdom and generosity to build a society that cares for all.
Together with Mary, your Mother, in whose womb you took on our human nature,
Help us to choose life in every decision we take.
We ask this in the joyful hope of eternal life with you, and in the communion of the Blessed Trinity.
Amen.
Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.
All the Saints of Ireland, pray for us.
|
|
|
