Read more and get involved!👊

22nd September 2023
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
In this Issue...

READ: (#1) Cork University Maternity Hospital has received no complaints of ‘protests’ from patients (#1)

READ: (#1) Dr. Brendan Crowley pens powerful defence of freedom of conscience in Irish Medical Times article (#2)

READ: (#hhh) Guardian newspaper says reference to “unborn child” instead of “foetus” on upcoming Ohio referendum ballot is a “disappointing” setback (#hhh)

WATCH (#hh) : (#LBB) Encouraging heartfelt clip from Lord Alton’s address at the PLC’s annual dinner (#hh)

REGISTER TODAY: PLC National Conference 2023! (#PLCNC)

REGISTER: CALLING students and young people - Applications OPEN for Future Leaders Programme (#flp)

ACTION: Get involved in the Humanity Campaign – Communicate with your politicians (#Humanity) today (#Humanity)

ACTION (#history) : Do you have pro-life material which could be historically relevant? (#history)

Cork University Maternity Hospital has received no complaints of ‘protests’ from patients

As the Dáil returned on 20th September, the Irish Examiner (which has been described as Ireland’s most pro-abortion newspaper) printed a press release from the group Together for Safety which highlighted Cork University Maternity Hospital as the latest scene of pro-life protests which supposedly requires an urgent legislative response.

Together for Safety, the Limerick-based abortion lobby group, had previously pinpointed Limerick hospital as the epicentre of supposed pro-life protests which were “harassing” in nature. The group’s claims were effectively rebuffed by the UL Hospitals Group in December 2021, which issued a statement saying they had no record of any protests and had received no complaints from staff, patients or their partners.

But, never letting the truth get in the way of a good story, senators like Lorraine Clifford-Lee faithfully repeated the fictitious narrative of the “terror experienced in Limerick” during the debate on a Sinn Féin-introduced Exclusion Zones Bill. Minister Stephen Donnelly agreed that emergency legislation was needed, even if it meant “pushing up against civil liberties.”

Having been essentially ‘fact-checked’ by the UL Hospitals Group, Together for Safety now appears to have slung its hook and announced that Cork is the latest blackspot of pro-life protests. The lobby group’s spokesperson announced there was clearly “a need for safe access zones”, which must be “made a priority” by the Dáil upon its return.

However, a spokesperson for the Cork hospital explained to the Examiner journalist that “to date, CUMH has not received any complaints from patients regarding the protests.” He also explained that alleged protests are very “infrequent” and “typically consist of between two and four [people]”.

The suggestion that two to four people assembling in the vicinity of a large hospital’s public grounds to exercise their constitutional rights is such a threat that it requires urgent special legislation is patently absurd.

The article acknowledged that no doorways had been blocked, something which has never happened at any pro-life vigil. The Exclusion Zones Bill currently going through the parliament makes it a criminal offence to block access to a healthcare premises within a ‘zone’, despite the fact it’s already a crime under Section 9 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

The proposed so-called Safe Access Zones Bill is perhaps the greatest example of the tail wagging the dog in Irish politics.

Irish abortion advocates have for decades been obsessed to a paranoid degree with the supposed influence of small groups in dictating Irish policy on abortion. Yet now we have a situation where Together for Safety, a group not even registered with the Lobbying Commission in contravention of existing legislation, has presented an entirely distorted narrative as a false basis for introducing draconian, sweeping criminal legislation. Most government TDs and Minister seem incapable of challenging this and declaring that the emperor has no clothes.

Dr. Brendan Crowley pens powerful defence of freedom of conscience in Irish Medical Times article

In this week’s Irish Medical Times, Dr Brendan Crowley makes a strong and cogent defence of freedom of conscience protections for healthcare workers and calls for the law to be strengthened to safeguard these rights as part of the three-year review of Ireland’s new abortion regime.

Emphasising the importance of freedom of conscience protections, the Cork based medic writes: “When a healthcare worker forms the opinion that an abortion is not healthcare but is the deliberate ending of human life, it is abhorrent to compel them to perform an abortion against their will. It violates the Hippocratic character of medicine as providing a social good, which has a downstream negative impact on social cohesion and trust.”

Dr Crowley takes issue with the recent government backed report on the three-year review of the abortion law, saying it “raises several worrying points which would have a negative impact on freedom of conscience.”

He says the report’s “emphasis on ‘values clarification workshops’ for hospital staff to persuade them to drop their conscientious objection to abortion is applying unfair social pressure on medical staff who are exercising their legal rights.”

Setting out what needs to happen next, Dr Crowley says a “robust freedom of conscience option should not be seen as a partisan pro-life proposal. If abortion proponents are sincere about their belief in tolerance, diversity, and choice, then they should begin by respecting the rights of all medical professionals. As legislators return to Leinster House and begin to consider the recommendations of the Three-Year Review against freedom of conscience, they must bear in mind how this would impact on medical professionals who are dedicated to saving human life and view abortion as the converse of this responsibility.”

You can access the full article here ([link removed])

Guardian newspaper says reference to “unborn child” instead of “foetus” on upcoming Ohio referendum ballot is a “disappointing” setback

Carter Sherman, The Guardian newspaper’s “reproductive health and justice reporter” has described the reference to “unborn child” instead of “foetus” on the ballot in Ohio’s abortion referendum as “disappointing” and a “blow” to pro-abortion campaigners.

The referendum which takes place on 7th November will decide whether or not to enshrine abortion as a right in the state’s constitution. The result of the referendum will determine whether or not the state’s six-week abortion ban will survive and take effect.

The outcome will also have a major impact on the abortion debate in the US as it’s the only significant vote of its kind taking place in 2023.

Sherman’s report on Ohio from earlier this week doesn’t hide how critical dehumanising language is when trying to secure pro-abortion victories.

On Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court issued the ruling allowing the words “unborn children” to be used on the ballot summary for voters. Abortion supporters had attempted to have the word “foetus” inserted instead.
Encouraging heartfelt clip from Lord Alton’s address at the PLC’s annual dinner (http://)
[link removed]
Click above to watch Lord David Alton’s full address at the Ceiliúradh Cois Life Dinner for Pro-Life Education, which took place in Dublin earlier this month.
Register Today for PLC National Conference 2023! (http://)
[link removed]
Our annual National Conference this year will take place on Saturday, 14th October 2023 in the RDS Concert Hall, Dublin 4.

The main theme of the conference is 'Growing the Pro-Life vote, Bringing about change at election time' and underlines our focus on getting more public representatives elected who will speak up courageously for human rights, for the right to life of unborn children and for care and support for women in unplanned pregnancy.

The keynote speaker for the National Conference is Obianuju Ekeocha.

Obianuju Ekeocha is a highly respected and well known pro-life advocate on the international stage. She has 135,000 followers on Twitter (X), which gives an indication of the reach and impact she is having. She is the founder of Culture of Life Africa, an initiative dedicated to improving maternal healthcare services for women, while fighting against Western governments who commit vast sums of money for abortion and population control in African countries - something she appropriately describes as "ideological colonisation".

Seating for the event is limited - so don’t delay, register today below to attend the conference!
Stay tuned for updates on speakers in the coming weeks but for now, click below to register. See you there!
[link removed]
Register Now! ([link removed])
CALLING students and young people - Applications OPEN for Future Leaders Programme (http://)
Ireland needs pro-life students and young professionals who are ready and able to speak up for the most vulnerable in our society.

The tenth course in our Future Leaders Programme is now open for applications. It commences on 5th October with both online and in-person sessions. It will take place every Tuesday at 7pm for 6 weeks.

If you want to upskill your activism and become a proactive pro-life leader, then this programme is for you.

After completing this course, participants will:
* Understand the legal, medical and political realities of abortion and euthanasia in Ireland and the EU
* Appreciate and respond to the challenges faced by parents with an unplanned pregnancy
* Develop logically sound and emotionally compelling arguments aimed at promoting the right to life
* Experience debating the pro-life issue in a television or radio studio
* Meet those who share the same respect for the right to life

If you are aged between 18-30 and wish to apply to participate, please complete this application form ([link removed]) by Friday the 22nd of September and we will get back to you.

If you know someone who might be interested in one one the 15 sponsored places available, then please forward this message to them.

If you have any questions about the Programme, email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Apply Now! ([link removed])
Humanity Campaign - Action alert! (http://)
[link removed]
With the Oireachtas returning, it presents a perfect opportunity to approach your local TDs and Senators and urge them to reintroduce some humanity into the debate on abortion. The Three-Year Review, a seriously flawed process which produced a one-sided and extreme report, will be considered by politicians in the autumn. It’s important that we take action now.

We have produced a quick and easy Virtual Postcard for you to sign, which will automatically send an email to your local TDs. Use the button below to navigate into your county on our website and find your constituency.

It’s also important to have meetings with your TDs. These can be as simple as dropping into your local TD’s advice clinic to outline your concerns. Click below to register to lobby your local TDs. Don’t worry – we’ll help you every step of the way with advice on making the appointment to points you might consider raising.

We are heartened by the number of people actively involved and interested in meeting their politicians to express their views. The People Before Profit Bill which regrettably passed at 2nd stage of the Dáil on 31st May must also be countered. Even the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has said this Bill goes far beyond the recommendations of the Three-Year Review – which are already extreme in their own right.

It is crucial to engage with our politicians and remind them not to overlook the referendum promises. We need to fight to ensure our abortion policy is aimed at reducing the abortion rate.

Please take a moment to get involved in the
Humanity Campaign ([link removed]) . Remember even the smallest effort will make a big difference.

Thank you!
Send an instant email to your politicians here ([link removed])
Read more about the Humanity Campaign here ([link removed])
Do you have pro-life material which could be historically relevant? (http://)
We are putting out a call for anyone in possession of any documents, photographs, correspondence, etc. relevant to the Irish pro-life movement throughout the decades. We are particularly keen to receive anything in your possession related to periods such as the 1983 referendum. A comprehensive history of the pro-life movement is yet to be written, but the historians of the future will need primary sources. We are asking for people to get in touch with the Pro Life Campaign (mailto:[email protected]) if they possess such material (no matter how old or dusty!) to ensure it is preserved now and not lost to the ages.
Follow us on social media!
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
mailto:[email protected]
[link removed]
I want to support the life-changing work of the Pro Life Campaign ([link removed])

Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

============================================================
Copyright © 2023 Pro Life Campaign, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive updates from the Pro Life Campaign

Our mailing address is:
Pro Life Campaign
24 Mount Street Upper
Dublin 2
Dublin, Co. Dublin D02 R229
Ireland
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list ** here ([link removed])
This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Pro Life Campaign . 24 Mount Street Upper . Dublin 2 . Dublin, Co. Dublin D02 R229 . Ireland