Over 300 pro-life volunteers attended the Pro Life Campaign’s National Conference in Cork last weekend.

There was a palpable energy and enthusiasm at the event for getting actively involved in the upcoming general election campaign, to guarantee that more pro-life TDs are elected. Underscoring the urgency of the moment, most of the speeches touched on the election and offered practical suggestions on how to maximise the pro-life vote.

Among the guest speakers were Independent Ireland leader Micheal Collins TD and recently elected Aontú councillor from Limerick, Sarah Beasley.

Councillor Beasley, who in addition to her pro-life advocacy, is known in Limerick for her outreach to the homeless and those with addiction problems, told attendees to make sure they play an active part over the coming weeks, saying “I’m begging every single one of you” to come out and canvass or leaflet to help get more pro-life TDs elected.

Michael Collins mentioned in his address what a difference it would make if there were more pro-life TDs in the Dáil, saying: “It will happen if people get out there and canvass, and if not canvass then at least distribute leaflets or make phone calls.”

Deputy Collins also referenced in his speech how the media twist and misrepresent the pro-life position, including remarks made by pro-life people. He cited the example where the distinction between necessary medical treatments in pregnancy and induced abortion are oftentimes deliberately blurred, saying: “There is a massive distinction between abortion that intentionally ends the life of a baby and a medical intervention to save the life of the mother that does not intentionally set out to harm the baby. It causes tremendous confusion when elements in the media insist on labelling all these procedures as ‘abortion’ when clearly they are not. It is another feature of our battle having to make these distinctions clear.”

Dr Margaret Naughton, Clinical Pastoral Educational Supervisor at University Hospital Kerry, also addressed the conference, presenting a unique and life-affirming perspective regarding end-of-life care and the challenges faced by the ongoing push for euthanasia to be legalised in Ireland.

She said it can be difficult and challenging at times to “to defend the other, to defend those who are struggling, to defend the voiceless” but that we have “an ethical and moral imperative” to speak out given what is at stake and the type of euthanasia regime that will be introduced if we don’t.

Ruth O’Sullivan, a nurse from West Cork, shared her deeply personal and moving story of abortion and the impact it has had on her life. Ruth talked about how it has been an excruciatingly painful journey for her and her family but that her hope is that by sharing her story it helps “to break the silence” about the “reality of the horrors that can unfold after making the life-altering and permanent decision” to abort a baby. Attendees at the conference remarked afterwards about how much Ruth’s testimony impacted them, and they praised her courage and sincerity in speaking out.

In her remarks to attendees, Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign stressed the importance of maximising the pro-life vote in the election, saying: “It comes down to being organised. It comes down to getting the word out. It comes down to each one of us setting aside the time to do leaflet drops for pro-life candidates—or better still, to canvass for them.”

She encouraged pro-life supporters across the country to consult the Voter Guide on the Pro Life Campaign’s website before casting their vote and said: “If every pro-life volunteer plays their part, we will tip the balance in favour of more pro-life TDs getting elected, which in turn will guarantee progress is made in the next Dáil in shifting the focus away from promoting abortion to reducing the soaring abortion numbers.”

There was a large youth presence at the conference and a panel discussion also took place on the work being done at present on various fronts to attract more young people to the movement.

Attendees at the conference included the Bishop of Kerry Raymond Browne, Bishop of Cloyne William Crean as well as representatives and leaders from other faith communities, including Pastor Stephen Cardy of Family.ie.