News, Register for Events and Much More!

28th January 2022
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In this issue:

READ: Did National Women’s Council statement give game away about plans for Three Year Review? (#1)

READ (#Jeff) : (#2) Massive crowd attends March for Life in D.C. as hopes grow over pending Supreme Court decision (#2)

READ: (#3) Rioters throw smoke bombs at pro-life students in the US (#4)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Workshop Series on Wednesday the 2nd of February from 7.30PM to 8.30PM (#Workshop)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Webinar with Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD on the 8th of February (#Webinar)

APPLY NOW: Ireland needs pro-life students and young professionals who are ready to speak up for the unborn. Apply TODAY for the Future Leaders Programme! (#FLP)

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC (#VS)
Did National Women’s Council statement give game away about plans for Three Year Review? ()
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Serious questions remain for the Minister for Health regarding the process that led to this week’s appointment of the chairperson of the three-year review of the abortion law.

Stephen Donnelly gave a public guarantee that a transparent tendering process would take place to ensure the appointment of an ‘independent’ chairperson but, alas, it never happened.

The embarrassing speed with which The National Women’s Council welcomed the appointment of barrister Marie O’Shea as chairperson, and the bizarre way they paid tribute to the Minister’s decision to abandon the tendering process has all the signs of a coordinated effort to move things in a particular direction, with the Minister caving to the demands of strident pro-abortion campaigners. One has to wonder – did this week’s statement from the National Women’s Council let the cat out of the bag about what’s really going on?

The Minister promised openness and transparency but didn’t follow through. He knows he can rely on the media to give him protective cover for his actions. The media’s refusal to ask the hard questions has been utterly shameful but comes as no surprise.

But even if the media refuses to do its job, Stephen Donnelly cannot escape the scrutiny of his parliamentary colleagues who are demanding answers.

Last week, the Minister was forced to concede in replies to parliamentary questions from TDs Peader Tóibín and Michael Collins that a “small number of candidates, identified as having suitable experience for the position, were contacted and invited to apply for the role of independent Chair.”

The Minister has a duty to elaborate on this admission and explain how it squares with his promise to initiate an impartial process to find a truly independent Chairperson. He needs to be pursued on this matter until he provides a detailed and satisfactory explanation.

Meanwhile, Senator Rónán Mullen has called on the newly appointed chairperson of the three-year review to ‘honourably withdraw’ from the role. This he said was in light of her past “social media activity tending to show preference for the repeal of the 8th Amendment and the legalisation of abortion in the State.”

Read more about the events leading up to the appointment of the Chair of the Three Year Review here ([link removed]) .
Massive crowd attends March for Life in D.C. as hopes grow over pending Supreme Court decision (#1)
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Last week’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. drew an estimated crowd of 150,000 pro-life people from across America. The event has taken place annually since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the Supreme Court that legalised abortion on demand in the US.

Marchers at this year’s event expressed the hope that the 2022 march (the 49th in a row) will be the last under Roe, as the Supreme Court is currently deciding the Dobbs v. Jackson case, which is likely to lead to the overturning of the 1973 decision, leading to the possibility of proper legal protections being restored to safeguard the lives of unborn babies and their mothers. Let’s hope and pray this happens!

Watch this ([link removed]) 45-second clip of the estimated 150,000 marchers!!
Rioters throw smoke bombs at pro-life students in the US ()
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As yet another sign of the escalating violent attacks in the US against pro-life supporters, last week a group of radical pro-abortion activists began lighting smoke bombs and threw them at a group of peaceful students who were attending a pro-life educational conference in Texas.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on pro-life supporters that have taken place in recent months. A couple of weeks back, Nebraska pro-life state Senator Julie Slama recieved death threats and rape threats and numerous other elected pro-life representatives have received similar threats in the recent past, including pro-life activists being held at gunpoint, being assaulted requiring hospitalisation, as well as being punched, kicked and spat on.

The media is very quick to report on the rare occasions when pro-life activists step out of line but show little interest in reporting on the growing number of attacks against pro-lifers currently happening in the US. The word is getting out though through local media and talk radio.

In a statement last week, Texas Right to Life said they will not be deterred by the attacks from doing their work and suggested that the upsurge of attacks is in response to increasing number of pro-life victories across the US.
Register Now for PLC Network Workshop Series on Wednesday the 2nd of February from 7.30PM to 8.30PM (#1)
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Register Now for PLC Network Workshop Series

Taking place on the 2nd of February from 7.30PM to 8.30PM.

The workshop will be centred around Letters to the Editor and How to Succeed by focusing and giving advice on sending Effective Letters to the Editor.

Our workshop series invites volunteers to share their knowledge, develop skills and receive further education and training on right to life issues!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential as there are only 20 places available. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Register Here ([link removed])
Register Now for PLC Network Webinar with Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD on the 8th of February (#1)
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Register Now for PLC Network Webinar

Taking place on the 8th of February with special guest Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD, Leader of Aontú.

The discussion will be focusing on the Abortion Three Year Review, An Update, Review and Analysis.

The webinar will also include a discussion on how to make a pro-life submission to the review and much more!

Participation is free but pre-registration is essential.

Register ([link removed]) Here ([link removed])
Ireland needs pro-life students and young professionals who are ready to speak up for the unborn. Apply TODAY for the Future Leaders Programme! (#1)
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The Future Leaders Programme will equip the next generation of pro-life activists to do just that.

Applications are now open for the eighth Future Leaders Programme, which commences online on Monday 7th February at 7pm.

The course is an opportunity for young people to upskill their pro-life knowledge, and hear from national and international pro-life leaders from the spheres of medicine, law, politics, psychiatry, and practical supports for women.

Students or young adults can apply for a place on the course here ([link removed]) .

During this strategic 8 week programme, delegates will be equipped with the competence, arguments and motivation to promote the pro-life vision in the public square.

If you want to become proactive, organised and enhance your personal effectiveness as a leader, communicator, and activist in the cause of protecting life - then this course is for you.

After completing this course, participants will:
* Understand the legal and medical 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
* Become fluent in using traditional and social media to promote the pro-life message
* Experience 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 effectively
* Meet those who share the same respect for the right to life

Previous participants have said the following:
* "DO IT!! It is an amazing course. You get to expand your knowledge, improve your skills and meet so many other amazing pro life people. If I could do it all over again I would!"
* "100% do this course! If you are a young person in college or in the workplace, this is for you! Such a great way to learn, keep up to date and meet new people. I have reclaimed the most amazing arguments that had slipped from my memory and learned a million more. Facts and stories, you can't beat it."
* "Definitely go for it, as it will provide you with the essential knowledge and tools you need to be an educated, effective pro-life advocate whether privately in one-on-one conversations or in a more public setting."

If you are aged between 18-35 and wish to apply to participate, please complete this application form ([link removed]) by Monday 31st January, and we will get back to you.

There are 15 sponsored places available.
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC (#1)

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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