Speaking prior to the vote today on Deputy Clare Daly’s bill which provides for abortion when an unborn child is diagnosed with terminal illness, Dr. Ruth Cullen of the Pro Life Campaign urged politicians to robustly reject the proposal.
She said:
“Sometimes abortion is proposed,even taken for granted, as the ‘solution’ to difficult situations. But the sign of a genuinely inclusive society is one that unconditionally values all human life, irrespective of the born or unborn person’s ability or prognosis, however grave.”
“The countless stories from Irish families whose babies were given diagnoses of terminal illness and their experiences of giving birth to, living with and then grieving their babies’ passing must be heard in this debate. That simply is not happening at present.”
“Those pushing this Bill have completely failed to address alternatives to abortion and the need for a dedicated peri-natal hospice in Ireland for families who find themselves in these deeply difficult situations.”
Dr. Cullen continued:
lf we decide it is acceptable to end the lives of unborn children because of a pre-natal diagnosis, it undermines all terminally ill people’s right to equal respect. A truly life-affirming society works towards giving all necessary supports to children with these conditions and their families.”
Ends