On several occasions I have been asked to explain my views on the intersection of atheism and reproductive freedom. Well here it is, isn’t it? From BBC News, the story of 31 year-old Savita Halappanavar, who died in Ireland on Sunday due to complications of pregnancy:
“On the Saturday night everything changed, she started experiencing back pain so we called into the hospital, the university hospital.”
He said she continued to experience pain and asked a consultant if she could be induced.
“They said unfortunately she can’t because it’s a Catholic country,” Mr Halappanavar said.
“Savita said to her she is not Catholic, she is Hindu, and why impose the law on her.
“But she said ‘I’m sorry, unfortunately it’s a Catholic country’ and it’s the law that they can’t abort when the foetus is live.”
This was a woman, and a family, and medical professionals who knew that aborting the pregnancy was the safest, sanest medical decision. This hospital stood by as Savita Halappanavar died slowly and painfully of septicemia. They refused to treat Savita as her her husband, Praveen Halappanavar, watched helplessly as her organs shut down one after another.
Because it’s a Catholic country.
According to the article, several investigations by different groups are underway.
UPDATE: There are several hashtags on Twitter that are following activism around Savita’s case: #Savita #RIPSavita. Here is a legislative action website. A protest is taking place tonight. A Candlelight Vigil is being held in Galway this weekend.
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Naughtius Maximus
November 14, 2012 at 09:12 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Galway isn’t in Northern Ireland.
Brianne Bilyeu
November 14, 2012 at 09:23 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Crap – I thought I saw that it was under the BBC’s Northern Ireland beat…I didn’t follow up.
Thanks for the note, I’m changing it now.
Katherine Lorraine, Chaton de la Mort
November 14, 2012 at 09:24 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Did you see this part in the article, via a representative from an anti-abortion group:
Tell that to Mr. Halappanavar, assholes.
michaeld
November 14, 2012 at 09:24 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Honestly this should be treated like drunk driving causing death. They’re doing something reckless and gambling with the peoples lives and this time lost, someone died. I don’t care if that was driving drunk or waiting until the heart stops before treating someone its reckless endangerment causing death.
At the very least laws need to change if not malpractice or manslaughter charges.
Rodney Nelson
November 14, 2012 at 19:26 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
According to the Irish Constitution a woman in a life-threatening situation can be given an abortion. This was the result of a 1992 court case where the Irish Supreme Court ruled abortions were justified to save the woman’s life. For twenty years the Dail has not passed any laws has not passed any laws implementing the court decision or the Constitutional amendment. That’s because of fear of a Catholic backlash. Maybe now the TDs will get off their arses and do what they should have done 20 years ago.
osmosis
November 15, 2012 at 02:50 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Anyone want to bet on who the scapegoat will end up being? My vote goes to the lowest person on the chain possible, the doctor. They’ll avoid the political ramifications by throwing the doctors to the mob, saying “they didn’t follow what the law actually says.”
The doctors will go down, nothing will change. Unless people get VERY angry.
flyingteacosy
November 15, 2012 at 10:00 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
People are. People are very, very angry. We are not going to let this stand.
osmosis
November 15, 2012 at 14:07 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!
dustinarand
November 15, 2012 at 10:13 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Where is the MSM on this story? And why if it happened on Oct 28 did we not hear about it before the election?
Savita Halappanavar | Atheism, Music, and More…
November 14, 2012 at 22:09 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] Freethought Blogs: Pharyngula – It’s Time to Abort the Catholic Church Butterflies & Wheels – Over 140 Medical Professionals, Ireland Speaks Up, Doctors Weigh In, and numerous others. Zinnia Jones – This is what a Catholic country looks like Almost Diamonds – She Should Have Been Better at Making Babies A Million Gods – Faith and Begorrah Biodork – Savita Halappanavar’s Death [...]
Woman dies in Galway Hospital after being refused termination - Page 291
November 15, 2012 at 14:42 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] "Catholic Country" is the theme that seems to be getting the most airing around the web. Savita Halappanavar’s Death | Biodork She Should Have Been Better at Making Babies | Almost Diamonds “She Had a Heartbeat, [...]
Love and Shame in the Wake of Savita | Consider the Tea Cosy
November 16, 2012 at 10:44 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] Savita Halappanavar’s Death [...]