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27th November 2020
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** In this issue:
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** NEWS: TDs and Senator respond to recent UCC study on abortion in Ireland (#Tds and senators)

NEWS: Down Syndrome Ireland react to Emmerdale story line which sees couple opt for abortion after pre-natal diagnosis of Down Syndrome (#emmer)

ORDER TODAY: Getting ready for Christmas? Gift ideas and Christmas cards for friends and loved ones (#christmas)

WATCH BACK: If you missed the PLC National Conference earier this month, watch back today. Did you enjoy the event? Consider donating today! (#conf)
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TDs and Senators respond to shocking new UCC study on abortion in Ireland ()
Deputy Peadar Tóibín put a number of questions to the Minister For Health over recent days following on from the shocking study ([link removed]) which was published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology recently.

The Deputy asked the Minister a number of questions around whether doctors had raised the concerns revealed in the study with the Minister, whether medics had expressed freedom of conscience concerns and about the date of the intended review of the abortion legislation.
Senator Rónán Mullen raised the results of the UCC study in Seanad Éireann this week. Senator Mullen was among a number of Senators who proposed amendments to the abortion legislation in 2018 which would have allowed precautionary pain relief for surgical abortions, and after-care for babies who survive the procedure, as a gesture towards the compassion we should feel in these cases. These proposals were rejected out of hand. You can watch Senator Mullen's contribution below.

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In reply to a series of Parliamentary Questions from Independent TD Carol Nolan, Minister Stephen Donnelly made the extraordinary revelation that there is no requirement under the 2018 abortion Act for women or for medical practitioners to report medical complications following early medical termination of pregnancy to the Minister for Health. This represents a serious breach in the duty of care that the Minister ought to demonstrate toward women exposed to potentially toxic medication. Deputy Nolan also submitted 9 further PQ's seeking data on adverse abortion outcomes and five PQ's on the UCC Study on later term abortions and foeticide.

It is very important that our public representatives continue to ask pertinent questions and put pressure on the Minister and the Government around the horrific implementation of the abortion law. It is through this consistent pressure that change will ultimately come about.

We encourage supporters to thank those TDs and Senators who continue to speak up for unborn babies and their mothers in Leinster House.
Down Syndrome Ireland issue statement saying they 'do not welcome' Emmerdale storyline about abortion of an unborn baby diagnosed with Down Syndrome in the womb. ()

Readers may be aware that a storyline on the popular TV programme Emmerdale features a couple who have been told that their unborn baby may have Down Syndrome and the current storyline will see them decide to have an abortion.

The storyline has provoked significant controversy in Britian with disability rights groups encouraging supporters to contact the producers of the programme. Campaigner
Heidi Crowter and actress Sally Phillips ([link removed]) have also lent their voices to the campaign. A petition ([link removed]) has been signed by nearly 30,000 people to date.

This week Down Syndrome Ireland, a leading organisation in Ireland which provides services and support to children and adults with Down Syndrome have issued a
statement ([link removed]) which is critical of the storyline. They said:

"We do not welcome this storyline. It will be challenging and distressing for many people with Down syndrome and their families, as well as for expectant parents."

"People may choose to end a pregnancy for many reasons, but by identifying the diagnosis of Down syndrome as a key factor, the programme is targeting a specific group unnecessarily. Emmerdale, like all TV soap operas, relies on dramatic themes, but the difficult emotions and choices that arise when considering termination could have been explored without mentioning Down syndrome."

"We would like to remind TV producers that people with Down syndrome watch TV programmes, listen to the news and read media articles. This storyline will be challenging and distressing for many people with Down syndrome and their families, as well as for expectant parents."

DSI have asked the producers to cancel or amend the storyline before it is broadcast on e have asked the producers of Emmerdale to cancel the storyline or amend it and remove the reference to Down syndrome before it is broadcast on Monday, November 30th.

It is heartening to see an organisation that supports people with Down Syndrome both supporting their services users directly and also responding to wider societal attitudes about people with Down Syndrome in our community.
Getting ready for Christmas? Gift ideas and Christmas cards for friends and loved ones ()

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Christmas is a time to think about those in need.

This Christmas why not give your family and friends the gift of giving? What better gift than to Sponsor a Community Connect BabyBox or MamaBag on their behalf?

The beautiful and practical BabyBox can be sponsored for €55 and the thoughtful MamaBag for €20.

You can also sponsor a package of both for €70, which will be given together to a mother in need and her baby.

On ordering your gift, you will receive a gift card that you can forward to your friend or family member to let them know about the special gift you are giving in their honour.

Click
here ([link removed]) to order today and for more information on the work of Community Connect

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The Christmas season is fast approaching, and you may have already started planning. This year, more than ever, we all want to stay connected and keep in contact with our loved ones.

The Pro Life Campaign's Christmas cards are a great way to keep in touch and at the same time support the work that we do. Why not take the opportunity to check in with friends and family that you haven’t been able to spend time with during 2020?

For the first time, we are selling Christmas cards, the sale proceeds of which will help us continue our work seeking human rights for unborn babies and supporting their mothers.

We have two beautiful Christmas card designs to choose from below. A pack of 10 cards costs €15 (which includes delivery within Ireland)

Click
here ([link removed]) to order your cards today, in time to send to friends and family this Christmas!

WATCH BACK some of the key interviews from Pro Life Campaign National Conference earlier this month ()
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If you missed the Pro Life Campaign National Conference which was streamed online on 31st October (or you didn't get to see it all), you can watch the full event back at your leisure on YouTube ([link removed]) or Facebook ([link removed])

Below are a selection of the interviews from the event which included panel sessions with policitians, grassroots activists and faithleaders as well as interviews with changemakers in the pro-life movement.

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Must see interview!! Ryan Bomberger shares his phenomenal personal story with Wendy Grace for the Pro Life Campaign National Conference 2020 and talks about the origins of Planned Parenthood, an organisation and industry he describes as the “very definition of systemic racism” in the United States. He cites the horrifying statistic that 79% of abortion clinics in the US are located in predominantly black neighbourhoods and how in New York City more black babies aborted than born alive. To inform yourself and to be inspired, don’t miss this this really amazing interview!! Watch back Ryan's interview above

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Carla Lockhart MP, the new DUP member of parliament from Northern Ireland has already shown herself to be a strong, committed and highly articulate voice for the right to life in the House of Commons. In this interview with Wendy Grace for the Pro Life Campaign National Conference 2020, she talks about what motivates her to speak up for life and her hopes for the future of the pro-life movement. Watch back Carla's interview above

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Rachel MacKenzie shares her personal story with Wendy Grace about the two abortions she had and what motivates her today to assist the pro-life movement. She also talks about the closure earlier this year of Calthorpe clinic in Birmingham (England’s oldest abortion clinic) and how the prayers and efforts of peaceful pro-life activists brought this day about. She encourages pro-life supporters to never give up hope and to remain fully active and committed. Watch back Rachel's interview above

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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]

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