Unquestionably, the Referendum on the Eighth Amendment raises a number of complex questions: should abortion be dealt with in the Constitution or by way of government legislation; should the fact that hundreds of Irish women already leave the state every year to procure abortions influence our response; does the fact that many terminations are already taking place in Ireland (using unregulated pills) mean abortion should be made legal; and how should Ireland\u2019s record of failure in the care of women and children \u2013 for example in the mother and baby homes \u2013 affect the way we vote?<\/p>\n
Often, in the past, the protection of vulnerable women and children in Ireland left a lot to be desired, but legislating now to allow the lives of the most defenceless among us to be terminated is not the answer.<\/p>\n
Past wrongs would be better addressed by providing better pastoral care in future for women, their partners and their families; by improving support services; and by investing more in medical and mental health services. We must be compassionate in responding to those for whom pregnancy is unwelcome or traumatic, and must seek to offer a positive alternative to abortion.<\/p>\n
The Archbishops of the Church of Ireland have stated that \u201cunrestricted access to abortion in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, or indeed at any stage, is not an ethical position we can accept.\u201d Nevertheless, our tradition is concerned to ensure provision for terminations in \u2013 hopefully \u2013 rare circumstances and in a safe medical setting.<\/p>\n
People differ on where the line should be drawn….<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n As we move from a year which for many was tinged with sadness, we should carry one thought into 2018: "It is better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness," says Rt Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe https:\/\/t.co\/eU15icZmgG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SMQawYudfy<\/a><\/p>\n — Newswireni.com (@NewswireDerry) December 28, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n