The impact of the loss of Ireland’s Constitutional protection for unborn babies is all too apparent in the abortion figures released this week by the Department of Health in Dublin, showing that the abortion rate has more than doubled in Ireland the first full year since the Eighth Amendment was dismantled in the 2018 referendum.
The official statistics reveal that 6,666 abortions were carried out in Ireland during 2019. When you add these abortions to the 375 abortions on women from Ireland who travelled to England in the same period, the figure amounts to 7,041 in total. This compares with a figure of 2,879 for the full year of 2018.
Those adopting an attitude to the latest figures of ‘nothing to see here, everything is fine and going to plan’ are wilfully downplaying the loss of life caused by the recent introduction of abortion in Ireland, as evidenced in this week's numbers.
It’s the first time in 18 years that there has been an increase at all in the number of abortions here and the first time in our history that thousands of innocent unborn babies have had their lives ended with the full backing of Irish law.
Sure, we can avert our eyes from the truth of what is now legally sanctioned by continuing to dress it up with words like “choice”, but that won’t change in any way the profound injustice of what the new law permits.
Before the law changed, GPs entered their surgeries with the sole intention of preserving life. But for many local doctors that has all changed as they now facilitate the taking of innocent human life as part of their daily work, in the full knowledge that it has nothing to do with genuine healthcare.
GPs are paid €450 by the State for every abortion they perform, more than twice what they would typically receive for caring for a mother and her baby during pregnancy. This is the stark shocking reality of what is now permitted in Ireland, all in the name of progress. The mark of a truly progressive society is one that treats every human life as ‘someone’ with an inherent value, and not as ‘something’ devoid of value to be disregarded as someone else’s choice.
Aside from a handful of members of Parliament who have shown remarkable courage in speaking out, there will be no political accountability for what has happened. But as it starts to dawn on voters that they were misled every step of the way before the 2018 referendum, we believe attitudes will start to change. Developments like this week's heart-breaking figures will help propel that change.
The public has had to endure years of cleverly choreographed campaigning for abortion led by some of our most senior politicians. This week, we have seen the terrifying results of what they were pushing. This week, reality has caught up with the lie that repeal would make Ireland a kinder, more gentle and compassionate country. The State sponsored choreography of abortion needs to end immediately and give way to an open and honest debate about the horrific reality of our new abortion law.
In 2018, Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin dismissed pro-life claims that in the event of repeal Ireland's abortion rate would soar. When the abortion figures came out this week, they were nowhere to be seen.
Watch this short video from Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign on this week's tragic developments.
This week Students For Life shared Part 1 of their recent webinar where Una Mary spoke to Autumn Lindsey from Students for Life of America. Autumn shares how she got involved in the movement, stories from campuses across America and how students can stay motivated amidst challenges.
In the fourth episode of The Outlook, Jason Conroy of Students For Life talks to Madeline Paige of the Alliance of Pro Life Students. We hear about their work with students and the challenges that face them on British campuses.
It is worth a listen 👏🏻😊 For more information on Students For Life, visit www.studentsforlife.ie
Register here for the webinar with Congressman Chris Smith, Deputy Carol Nolan and Senator Rónán Mullen on 11th July!
We are thrilled that we will be joined by Congressman Chris Smith at our next PLC Network Webinar. A long time advocate for human rights and human dignity, Chris Smith represents New Jersey in Congress. He has served as a member of the US Delegation to the UN General Assembly and has focused much of his career on human rights land anti-human trafficking legislation as well as leading human rights missions to other countries.
We will also be joined by Deputy Carol Nolan and Senator Rónán Mullen at this event as well as Grassroots pro-life activists and panellists.
This not to be missed event will delve into how we can effect real change on the pro-life issue through political engagement.
The event is FREE but pre-registration is essential.
We are thrilled with the number of people who have already registered to complete a 5K run or walk to raise much needed funds for support services for women in unplanned pregnancy and new mothers. There's so much interest that we are extending the initiative for July!
If you have already registered to take part, please share it on social media and nominate five others to join you. If you haven't signed up, why not do so today? All you need to do is commit to doing a 5k walk or run. You can register here
Once you register, you will get an invitation to join the online 'Team' and we will send you out your official LoveBoth fundraising pack. They you can get on the road like some of our many volunteers below!
How else can you support the cause?
Whether you are doing the challenge or not you can donate to this this fundraiser here
Are you a secondary school (TY or older) or third level student? Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning? We are seeking ‘virtual’ interns to work part-time from home at this time. Internships run for one week periods throughout the Summer.
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]
