So Ireland needs to change its abortion laws. They’re working on it. And they’re getting harassed by the anti-abortion crowd as a result.
The Taoiseach responded to concerns over the legislation, published overnight, after an Independent TD warned about a pro-life mob ambushing politicians in a widespread campaign of intimidation.
John Halligan, from Waterford, claimed he was confronted by a gang of seven campaigners on the promenade in Tramore in May and told to change his views on abortion, or they would be changed for him. One of the group called to his house late that day and stuffed leaflets through his letterbox.
Mr Halligan also recalled the experience of Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty who was threatened via email with having her throat cut to her naval. She was also told her house would be burned down.
Because pro-life.
Mr Halligan made his claims in the Dail as he called on Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore to condemn the Catholic Church for not criticising anti-abortion campaigners who attack politicians. The Tanaiste refused to condemn the church for lobbying over the abortion issue but went on to describe some statements from the bishops as exaggerated. Ireland’s Catholic bishops reiterated their opposition to the abortion reform this week and warned that it was a defining moment for the country.
Ireland’s Catholic bishops are happy to see women die of miscarriages because hospitals refuse to do abortions, are they? They think that’s a good outcome? They’re glad Savita Halappanavar is dead?
Yes, apparently. They have big plans for tomorrow.
The Catholic Church will chastise the Irish state from the pulpit this weekend when, at the request of the bishops, priests across the country will read out their latest response to the Irish government’s proposed legislation on abortion at Masses this weekend.
According to the Irish Independent, the bishops will also invite the priests and mass goers to pray the specially designated ‘Choose Life’ prayer in the hope that ‘the dignity and value of all human life will continue to be upheld in Ireland.’
No, not all human life. Not the human life of a woman having a miscarriage at 17 weeks. Her life doesn’t count.
The Catholic Church will chastise the Irish state
I like that. In every state but Rome, it has failed spectacularly.
When my mom was young she went to see her cousin who almost died after having her 5th child. Her doctors had warned her before then not to have any more children. The priest came in and said, “good girl” to her. My mom knew this priest had a very nice house and a very comfortable life. When my mom was young, about 50 years ago, most people in the US could not imagine criticizing priests. After seeing her cousin, my mom became more and more disillusioned with the church until she finally left it. I’m hoping this happening in Ireland now. It is easy for the bishops to tell women what to do when they don’t have to do the dying.
It’s the church and its nasty representatives that need to be chastised and exposed for the anti-life monsters that they are.
They don’t give a shit about “life.” They’re no different from many Republicans in the U.S. “Life” becomes worthless as soon as it is born.
I hate them all.
karmacat – after my mother gave birth to my youngest sister (and her 6th child) she suffered a prolapsed uterus and severe bleeding. Her OB informed her that while her uterus could be saved another pregnancy would almost certainly be fatal, and recommended a hysterectomy. No children or unborn fetuses were harmed at any time, but her decision to stay alive so she could be a good (as in living) mother earned her an excommunication. For some reason my father wasn’t impressed to be informed that he, and us children, would still be welcome in church, and we never went to church as a family again.
The priests would try to get my Italian born great grandfather to come to church. He would respond, “There are 3 thieves in the world: lawyers, doctors, and priests
So, your lot have atacked and taken The Slyme Pit offline.
We won’t forget it. We’ll return stronger than ever.
I swear, these people have a persecution complex that would make most Christians proud.
By some twisted standard which allows them to permit the slavery of those perceived to be “sinful” women & girls (doesn’t the RCC think everyone is equally sinful, by doctrinal definition?) and the sexual abuse of children of all genders while working to prevent legal accountability for the dirty-handed criminals, the RCC clergy in Ireland does perceive themselves to be moral and certainly would insist that they care about others. They may believe that the best way to care about others is to prevent the arrest of pedophiles, but regardless of how disgustingly twisted that may be, they do care about others.
So I won’t say that they’re actually glad Savita Halappanavar is dead.
But I don’t think that they regret her death at all. I think that the combo of non-Catholic and woman comes into play here. I think that they firmly believe it’s better not to excise a doomed and dying fetus, depriving it of 24 hours of unconscious metabolizing, though it kills a living, breathing human being. I believe that they think it really, really is worse for the people in this world if we save one life by focussing on the only life we can save, the only life that is fully formed and present.
I think that they believe that, and it makes me wonder if they’ve ever heard of triage. I wouldn’t trust my life or even basic care to a Catholic hospital…ever.