Ireland may be moving to infringe on more than just a child’s right to life. Now, the country’s leaders are expecting religious organizations to perform life-destroying procedures that contradict their values.
Simon Harris, the Minister for Health in Ireland, recently stated that all publicly-funded health service providers in Ireland must provide legal health services, which includes “women’s health services” like abortion.
In a “statement of the obvious,” Harris tweeted July 25 that “conscientious objections is for individuals, not institutions.”
His tweet insinuated that no organization will be exempt from performing abortions, not even Catholic hospitals.
“All publicly funded health services providers in State will be expected to provide legal health services — including women’s health services,” Harris said. He went on to state that he has set up a group chaired by Catherine Day to “examine how voluntary providers interact with [Ireland’s] health service overall.”
All publicly funded health services providers in State will be expected to provide legal health services- incl. women’s health services. This should be a statement of the obvious!Conscientious objection is for individuals, not institutions. Excellent article by @ellenmcoyne 1/2
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 25, 2018
I have also set up a group chaired by Catherine Day to examine how voluntary providers interact with our health service overall. Very important work and group due to report to me shortly. 2/2
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 25, 2018
Harris’ Twitter posts come in light of outcry from Ireland’s Catholic bishops, who have drafted a code of ethics for Catholic hospitals in the nation. According to The Times, guidelines for up to 20 main hospitals connected with religious orders include a ban on most assisted reproduction procedures. The document also lists some things that could be expected from a Catholic hospital, including bans on contraception.
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The Irish bishops are preparing to meet for the World Meeting of Families in late August, where they will address the need to defend life. This meeting, which Pope Francis is scheduled to attend, also will discuss plans to establish a “Council for Life,” which will “advise and advocate for the Catholic Church in Ireland on a consistent ethic of life and care for those most at risk.” They have yet to address Harris’ recent declaration of forcing Catholic hospitals to perform abortions.
On May 26, citizens of Ireland voted to repeal their Eighth Amendment, which protected unborn children and women from abortion. This came as a great shock to pro-lifers across the globe, as Ireland had been one of the safest places in the world for pregnant women, with one of the world’s lowest maternal mortality rates.
Now, the fear is Ireland’s abortion law will mirror Britain’s, where one in every five pregnancies ends in abortion each year. In Britain, abortion is permitted until 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Irish lawmakers are considering a proposal that would legalize abortion for any reason up to 12 weeks and up to six months for a wide variety of reasons.
With more access to abortion and organizations forced to perform them against their will, this safe haven for the vulnerable will not be so safe anymore.
