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10th September 2021
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In this issue:

READ: Fianna Fáil Report Micheál Martin's abandonment of the pro-life issue more likely explanation for disastrous election performance (#0)

READ: Zappone controversy: pushing taxpayer funded abortions abroad featured in discussions about 'Special Envoy' role (#1)

READ: (#2) Mexico’s Supreme Court Decriminalises Abortion (#2)

READ: Newsweek reporter laments pro-life laws could result in more babies being born with Down syndrome (#3)

READ: Emotional moment parents meet their adopted baby boy (#4)

ACTION ALERT: Take a stand against RTÉ bias (#bias) - Order Leaflets Today! (#bias)

REGISTER NOW (#lb) : Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer. APPLY NOW: Future Leaders Programme 2021 – Closing Date (#FLP) TODAY! (#FLP)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Webinar with Dr Calum Millar (#event) TOMORROW! (#event)

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC (#7)
Fianna Fáil Report Micheál Martin's abandonment of the pro-life issue more likely explanation for disastrous election performance ()
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An Taoiseach Micheál Martin ()

Reports over the last two days reference an internal Fianna Fáil report addressing the decrease in support for that party.

Despite the narrative being pushed about why the party has plummeted in support, Micheál Martin’s abandonment of the pro-life issue is a much more likely explanation for Fianna Fáil’s disastrous election performance.

Exit polls at the time of the abortion referendum clearly showed that a majority of Fianna Fáil supporters voted No to abortion. At the party’s think-in taking place in Cavan this week, however, Micheál Martin is telling members of his parliamentary party that one of the reasons the party fared poorly in last year’s general election is as a result of the party not embracing abortion enough!

A much more plausible explanation for Fianna Fáil’s disastrous performance in last year’s general election is voters abandoning the party in their droves because of the leadership’s pro-abortion stance in the referendum.

Clearly the Fianna Fáil leadership, like much of the political establishment, would like to embed the idea that just 3% of the electorate voted No, rather than the 34% that did so. To these political figures, if you voted No, you are invisible and count for nothing. If this line is continued by the leadership of Fianna Fáil, the party will continue to career into oblivion.

Indeed it doesn’t appear to have registered with the Fianna Fáil leader yet that all 15 TDs who opposed abortion in the Dáil in 2018 were re-elected last year, while many of those he pounded the pavements with for repeal lost their seats.

It must be very disheartening for ordinary members of Fianna Fáil who backed the party’s once proud pro-life position, now having to watch their leader undermine everything they hold dear.

With the huge 70% increase in abortions that has happened since repeal, you’d think that Micheál Martin would reflect on what he has helped create. But clearly he is not for turning.
Zappone controversy: pushing taxpayer funded abortions abroad featured in discussions about 'Special Envoy' role ()
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Left: Katherine Zappone; Right: Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney ()

It's clear from the text messages released this week between Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney and Katherine Zappone that the 'Special Envoy' position she was seeking included a role promoting taxpayers' money being used to fund abortions abroad.

There was no mention of any of this when the controversy broke several weeks ago. Back then, senior government figures misled the public into believing that Ms Zappone's appointment was to a non-controversial position as a special envoy for 'freedom of expression'.

It now emerges that the role was something very different. The present government seems prepared to use any trick or untruth to pull the wool over the public's eyes. We should be thankful however that the facts surrounding what's been happening are starting to surface.
Mexico’s Supreme Court Decriminalises Abortion ()
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In a move that leaves unborn children even more vulnerable, Mexico’s Supreme Court removed the criminal penalties associated with that country’s pro-life laws.

The Court used pro-choice rhetoric surrounding the decision, with Justice Luis Maria Aguilar declaring that the ruling was a "historic step for the rights of women”.

Very worryingly, this case could begin to remove the right to life of unborn children in Mexico. Whilst the ruling related directly to just one state, the northern province of Coahuila, Supreme Court decisions are binding on the entire country, and so will have the effect of decriminalising abortion across Mexico.

Mexico had allowed each individual state to decide its own laws on abortion, the vast majority of which adopted pro-life legislation. However, this may no longer be the case, given the binding nature of the Supreme Court judgement.

Mexican pro-lifers should be aware of the tragedy that occurs when abortion is legalised. In Ireland for example, the number of abortions rose hugely in the first two years of Ireland’s new abortion law - over 13,000 in the space of just 24 months.

This week’s ruling from the Mexican Supreme Court is disappointing, but pro-life advocates should not give up. There is a very strong pro-life movement right across Central and South America, and they will be able to regroup and continue the fight for life after this defeat.
Newsweek reporter laments pro-life laws could result in more babies being born with Down syndrome ()
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Richard Hanania, Newsweek reporter ()
Newsweek reporter Richard Hanania has been roundly criticised for his remarks that changes to the law in places like Texas could result in more babies with Down syndrome being born. He posted on social media that: “You can’t screen for Down syndrome before about 10 weeks, and something like 80% of Down syndrome fetuses are aborted. If red states ban abortion, we could see a world where they have five times as many children with Down syndrome, and similar numbers for other disabilities."

He returned to the issue later, saying: “Could be outliers in the whole developed world. There are already negative stereotypes of Americans in these states, one can imagine it getting much more extreme. What if they also ban genetic engineering and embryo selection [eugenic reproductive technologies], while other places go ahead?”

After readers reacted with disgust, Hanania tried to walk back his claims, saying he never said it was bad to have more children with Down syndrome in society. But not everyone bought his explanation.

“You literally suggested that people’s already negative perception of red states would worsen if they stopped killing disabled babies in the womb,” Rachel Bovard, policy director for the Conservative Partnership Institute, tweeted.

Hanania was slammed by lots more social media users, including parents of children with Down syndrome and other family members.
Emotional moment parents meet their adopted baby boy ()
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A video shared on TikTok showing an adoptive couple meeting their baby boy for the first time has gone viral.

Shelby Henigman posted the video to mark the six month anniversary of her son’s adoption. She and her husband, Cody, have acknowledged the important role their son’s biological mother plays in his life, and thank her for the incredible sacrifice she made in placing her son for adoption.

It's practically a taboo subject in Ireland to even discuss promoting contemporary models of open adoption. The HSE and government push abortion at every turn but have a hardened aversion to publicising or talking about adoption. There's no question the lives of numerous babies are being ended through abortion in Ireland that would otherwise survive if the State reconsidered its indifferent and incomprehensible stance.

Watch the new adoptive couple here ([link removed]) meet their son for the first time.
Take a stand against RTÉ bias - Order Leaflets Today! (#1)
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Take a stand against RTÉ bias - sign the instant e-card here ([link removed])
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue.

We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".

Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.

Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Order Leaflets Today! ([link removed])
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Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer. ()
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Raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer.

Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!

Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.

Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
Register Here ([link removed])
Apply Now Future Leaders Programme 2021 – Closing Date TODAY! ()
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The Future Leaders Programme is an intensive two-month course that will equip you with the skills, arguments and motivation to promote the pro-life vision in the public square.

It will impart skills that will encourage participants to become proactive, organised and to enhance their personal effectiveness as political activists and communicators in the cause of protecting life.

Course content will be delivered by Irish and international experts. The course will take place three times each year.

After completing this course, participants will:
* Understand the legal and medical realities surrounding the protection of life in Ireland and the EU

* Appreciate the challenges faced by parents with an unplanned pregnancy and be aware of the supports available to them

* Be capable of developing logically sound and emotionally compelling arguments aimed at promoting the right to life

* Be capable of using both traditional and social media to promote the pro-life message efficiently and effectively

* Have experience of debating the pro-life issue in a television or radio studio

* Understand the Irish and EU political systems and ways that individuals and groups can influence them

* Have an enjoyable experience and create new friendships with those who share the same respect for the right to life

The next course takes place Online commencing on Monday, 20th September 2021 for eight weeks. The course will take place from 7pm – 9:30pm. A day long studio programme in Dublin and a trip to Leinster House will be included (both of these events will happen at a future date when it is safe to do so).

If you wish to apply to attend the course, please complete the form in the link by TODAY and we will get back to you. There are 15 sponsored places available for suitable participants. This is an exciting opportunity designed specifically for young people, aged 18-30, who are committed to the pro-life cause. Please encourage anyone you think suitable to apply!
Apply Here ([link removed])
Register Now for PLC Network Webinar with Dr Calum Millar TOMORROW! ()
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Register Now for PLC Network Webinar

Taking place TOMORROW with special guest Dr Calum Miller, a medical doctor, philosopher, and ethicist based in Oxford.

The discussion will be focusing on Reclaiming medicine as a healing not harming profession.

The webinar will also include a panel discussion on the Three Year Review and much more!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.
Register Here ([link removed])
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC ()

Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?

If you would like, APPLY HERE ([link removed]) to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.

Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.

Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.

Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.

If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.

Thank you!

Apply Now by filling in the application form ([link removed])
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mailto:[email protected]
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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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