Since March 2020, following the Covid-19 outbreak, it has been possible in Scotland (and also in Ireland) to access an abortion, before 12 weeks gestation, without having any face-to-face contact with a health professional prior to the procedure.
The sanctioning of 'DIY' at home abortions has led to a significant increase in ambulance call-outs in Scotland, related to women experiencing physical complications after taking abortions pills at home.
In a welcome move last week, two former presidents of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, Frank Dunn, and David Galloway, wrote to the Scottish Minister for Public Health, Maree Todd, expressing their grave concerns about the continuation of at home abortions and called for the reinstatement of in-person appointments before abortions take place.
Abortion campaigners who constantly talk about 'women's rights' and describe abortion as 'healthcare' have been noticeably silent about the risks to women associated with telemedicine at home abortions.
In a related development, the HSE has admitted that they are not collecting data on at-home abortions complications, even though the Minister for Health has indicated that 'DIY' abortions may be continued in a post-pandemic environment. The fact that the HSE is keeping no records about specific complications arising from at-home abortions was contained in a written reply to Fianna Fáil TD Eamon O’Cuiv after he raised the issue with the Minister for Health.
The 2021 Ceiliúradh Cois Life Online Fundraising Auction to raise funds for the educational and support initiatives of the Pro Life Campaign is now live.
The final countdown to "Going, Going, Gone!" is nearly upon us!
The Auction will close at 10PM SHARP TONIGHT!
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Thanks to our generous donors, many more fantastic items have been added to the auction, so there is more than ever to choose from.
BID
Check out the large range of fantastic auction items that can be bid on NOW. You can choose from some of the following:
Art
Getaway Breaks
Sporting Items
Jewellery
Christmas Gifts
Raffle Prizes and much much more!
BUY IT NOW
There are a large range of BUY IT NOW items available to purchase immediately. Items include Christmas hampers, beautiful jewellery pieces, cool children's digital watches (great stocking filler items!) and LoveBoth Official Merchandise.
RAFFLE
Why not buy a few raffle tickets today to be in with a chance to win the following:
1st Prize: Galmont Hotel Galway: One Night B&B and Evening Meal, Valid for 1 year
2nd Prize: €150 voucher for Marks and Spencers
3rd Prize: Gorgeous Christmas Hamper
4th Prize: €100 voucher for The Garden House, Malahide
5th Prize: Finca Skin Organics €50 voucher
6th Prize: €50 voucher for Rockbarton Garden Centre, Bruff, Co. Limerick
7th Prize: €30 voucher for Do My Hair Blanchardstown
The Department of Health has confirmed that 94 adverse incidents have been reported to the State Claims Agency arising from the abortion law.
The revelations are contained in a reply to a Parliamentary Question from Carol Nolan Independent TD to the Minister For Health. This latest disclosure highlights the risks to women's health associated with legal abortion that are being hidden from public view.
The Minister for Health has an obligation to divulge the precise details of the adverse events that have occurred, in the interests of transparency and ensuring proper oversight of the new abortion law. The Government’s Three Year Review of the abortion law must take an objective look at these events and the other issues that have come to light since the law was introduced.
Commenting on the Department's reply to her Parliamentary Question, Carol Nolan said: “It’s my understanding that these claims are related to the SCA through the National Incident Management System (NIMS). In light of that, it is reasonable to conclude that a proportion of the adverse outcomes we are talking about are those of a very serious nature.
“My own view is that replies like the one I have received today once again highlight the urgent need for full disclosure around how the law is harming women. It is profoundly alarming to me that none of this information ever seems to make its way into our discussions around the reality of abortion provision in Ireland. Anything that challenges the narrative of ‘safe’ abortion provision is fiercely resisted. That is a deliberate political and policy stance that actively harms women. It is also why I will continue to do everything I can to shed light on the abortion law as it is operating in reality as opposed to how it is imagined to operate by those who unquestioningly and uncritically support it.”
Hundreds tuned-in last weekend to the Pro Life Campaign National Conference to hear Lila Rose, founder of US based pro-life group Live Action, encourage pro-life supporters in Ireland to stay active and motivated.
Live Action was started in 2003 by Ms Rose, who was just 15-years-old. Today, it is one of the leading pro-life groups in the US and to date has generated over 1.3 billion views for its online videos to date - reaching mostly younger audiences.
In her live streamed interview with Wendy Grace at the Pro Life Campaign conference, Ms Rose discussed her new book 'Fighting for Life: Becoming a Force for Change in a Wounded World', and talked about how she grappled in the past with her own insecurities and feelings of inadequacy before turning Live Action into one of the most successful pro-life groups in the world.
She told the live streamed event that positive change is possible and the pro-life movement internationally has the ability to make a real difference and reawaken respect for human life in law and society at large. She pointed to recent pro-life victories in the US as proof of this but said it is also a critical time for the movement and most definitely not a time to lose heart.
The conference also featured a panel discussion on politics and the pro-life issue, chaired by Senator Rónán Mullen, with panellists Carol Nolan TD and politically involved young members of the movement Chloe Kennedy from Limerick and Paul Lawless, Aontú candidate in the Mayo constituency. There was also a lively Students for Life panel discussion featuring third level pro-life students from across the country. Other guests at the online event included Dr Calum Miller, medical doctor and eticist based in Oxford and well known pro-life advocate in the media.
Much of the discussion at the conference focussed on the Government's three year review of the abortion law, which has to be concluded by 1st January 2022.
Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign told the conference: "It’s clear the Government are trying to run out the clock with regard to the three year review to avoid any discussion or scrutiny of the horror unleashed by the new law they introduced and to avoid having to deal with the fact that 13,243 unborn babies lost their lives in the first two years since the law took effect." She referenced the recent HSE admission that gruesome D&E late-term dismemberment abortions are happening in Ireland even though voters were promised this would never happen. She also praised the pro-life TDs in the Dáil for raising these issues and, by doing so, bringing the truth out into the light. She said that "without question, reducing Ireland's spiralling abortion rate" is the Pro Life Campaign’s primary objective as part of the three year review.
This year's conference was hosted online for the second year in a row. Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the PLC National Conference traditionally took place in October in the RDS Dublin. It is hoped to return the conference to an in-person event in 2022.
Baby Lacey Murray was born at 28 weeks, weighing just 1lb 1oz. The newborn baby girl was so tiny that even some doll clothes were too big for her.
Her mum, Channae Kirkwood, said: “She was so, so small, we couldn’t even hold her for the first three days. I was scared to even touch her in case I hurt her. They had to use bubble wrap to help keep her warm.
Channae said her daughter was so tiny “I couldn’t find clothes that would fit her properly. All the premature baby clothes were too big. She had some dolls and I even tried taking off their clothes for her, but even they were too big.”
Now 15 weeks old, Lacey is thriving. “She is amazing,” her mum said. “She is doing well and growing all the time. She is still absolutely tiny but at least I can buy clothes from the ‘tiny baby’ range that almost fit her now.”
It is possible for babies born as early as 21 weeks to survive outside the womb when given specialised medical care. Some doctors argue however that healthcare resources should not be used to try to keep babies this young alive, and as we know abortion is legal in many countries even as late as the stage baby Lacey was born.
Community Connect has an exciting new job opportunity at their Dublin hub!
They are seeking an organised, pro-active person to join our team and co-ordinate the activities of their Dublin operation.
You would:
· Work 20 hours per week
· Have your own transport
· Be available to work from their Tallaght hub 2 days per week
· Have good communication skills
· Have basic email and spreadsheet skills
· Be pro-active in co-ordinating and mobilising our volunteer activities in Dublin
· Have good leadership skills and be able to motivate a team
If you want to find out more, drop Elaine an email at [email protected]
The Community Connect team urgently need more volunteers at their hub in Tallaght, so they can get help to the mothers and babies who need it most.
Could you join their very friendly bunch of volunteers at the hub on Wednesday mornings?
They are in urgent need of help with:
Sorting and packing baby clothes, nappies and other essential items for families in need
Assisting in lifting and moving heavier items such as cots and buggies, checking them to ensure they are in working order and assigning them to be delivered to families in need
The Tallaght team also run ‘tidy-up’ sorting days from time to time at the hub. The next one will be on Saturday 13th November from 9am – 3pm, and the team would welcome anyone who can help to sort, organise and move items to tidy up the hub, Marie Kondo style!
There might even be some hot drinks and treats on offer....
Or could you help to collect donated items in your own area, and deliver them to Tallaght?
If you can help with this hugely important work, please contact Jo at [email protected] and she will be delighted to hear from you!
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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.
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]
