The Bishops have issued their preliminary response to the government's abortion bill. I am posting it in full for you:
Preliminary response by the Catholic Bishops of Ireland to Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013
The Catholic bishops of Ireland stress once again the importance of continuing to provide a health care service in Ireland which ensures complete respect for the sacredness of the life both of the mother and her unborn baby. The bishops express their appreciation of the work carried out day by day in this ethos by doctors, nurses, midwives and other health personnel. Through Cura, the Church’s crisis pregnancy agency, help is available to any woman facing a crisis pregnancy.
The Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 published by the Government on Wednesday would, if approved, make the direct and intentional killing of unborn children lawful in Ireland. The Bill as outlined represents a dramatic and morally unacceptable change to Irish law and is unnecessary to ensure that women receive the life-saving treatment they need during pregnancy.
The Gospel of Life is at the heart of the message of Jesus; the deliberate decision to deprive an innocent human being of life is always morally wrong. We uphold the right to life as the foundation of every other human right. We encourage a deeper understanding of the inviolability of the right to life of both a mother and her unborn child, in all circumstances. Accordingly, at this crucial time, it is essential that all who share these beliefs make them clear to their legislators.
The Bill also appears to impose a duty on Catholic hospitals to provide abortions. This would be totally unacceptable and has serious implications for the existing legal and Constitutional arrangements that respect the legitimate autonomy and religious ethos of faith-based institutions. It would also pose serious difficulties for the conscientious beliefs of many citizens.
Abortion, in the sense of directly killing the unborn child, is never a remedy for suicidal ideation and therefore should never be cited as a justification for the direct killing of an innocent human being. It is a tragic moment for Irish society when we regard the deliberate destruction of a completely innocent person as an acceptable response to the threat of the preventable death of another person.
We invite all who cherish human life to support the Vigil for Life which is taking place in Knock tomorrow. We encourage everyone who can attend the Vigil to do so or to join in prayer with us. Cherish both mother and baby! Choose life!
ENDS
In related news Cardinal Sean Brady, our Primate, was asked if the bishops would implement canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law should Catholic politicians vote for abortion: his response seems to amount to a "no". I pass you over to Catholicus for a reflection on that decision.
While I am glad that Cardinal Brady spoke out so well for the protection of Life, I don't agree with what he said regarding the 'politicising of the Eucharist'. It is the True Presence of Christ one is receiving not a piece of bread. One has to be in a state of grace before the before receiving the Body of Christ. If one goes to a Polish Church for Sunday Mass you will see large crowds but not all of them receive Holy Communion. At least they recognise the value of the Blessed Sacrament. Unfortunately the Irish are not catechised in this area or taught from the pulpit about the True Presence in the Eucharist. There is a tremendous lack of faith by many, including some Priests in the True Presence. But it is vital to pray for our Priests, they need prayers and prayer does bring change when you pray with faith and pray especially the Divine Mercy prayers which are very powerful as well as making small sacrifices for them. Thank God for our Papal Nuncio who is bringing about much needed positive changes in our Hierarchy. We need joyful, hopeful and Christ centred leadership.
ReplyDeleteFr. John just to let people know also there will be an afternoon of Prayer for the Protection of Mother and Child in Emmanuel House of Providence, Clonfert on next Sunday May 12th at 2pm. God bless you.
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