18th February 2022
View this email in your browser
In this issue:

READ: Ellen Coyne has a lot of explaining to do over misleading report

READ: Government’s promotion of abortion ahead of positive alternatives “very concerning” says Councillor Sarah O’Reilly

READ: US writer thanks singer Nicki Minaj for publicly addressing the pain of abortion

JOIN US: PLC Hike for Life on the 27th of February at 1PM

HIRING NOW: Job Vacancies with PLC and SFL


REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Workshop on Wednesday the 2nd of March from 7.30PM to 8.30PM

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC
Ellen Coyne has a lot of explaining to do over misleading report
Irish Independent journalist Ellen Coyne

Senator Rónán Mullen has called on the Irish Independent to apologise to members of the pro-life movement in Limerick for a report it ran last week on the baseless claim that hospital staff were leaking information to pro-life supporters about the times and dates that abortions are happening at University Hospital Limerick.

In the piece written by journalist Ellen Coyne, quotes were attributed to pro-life volunteer Antoinette Fitzgibbon that she never gave to the newspaper. The report also failed to include one of Ms Fitzgibbon’s actual quotes where she made clear that she was not privy to any information about the days and times that abortions took place at the hospital. 

By selectively editing and omitting key quotes from Ms Fitzgibbon, the Irish independent piece unfairly created the impression that members of the pro-life movement in Limerick were being evasive about the reason why some of the peaceful prayer gatherings outside the hospital happened to occur on the same day that abortions were being performed.

In the Seanad on Wednesday, Senator Mullen complimented Gript Media for releasing the recording of the interview between Ellen Coyne and Antoinette Fitzgibbon that they obtained. The recording raises very serious issues about Ms Coyne's subsequent reporting on the conversation.

Senator Mullen has called on the Irish Independent to apologise to Ms Fitzgibbon for the way she was misrepresented and to make additional corrections to the piece that appears online. The Pro Life Campaign has written to the editor of the Irish Independent documenting the unfairness of the report and seeking answers on what he proposes doing to rectify the situation. Pro-life supporters should also consider contacting the paper on the matter.

There’s another issue worth focussing on with regard to Ms Coyne's report. She seemed certain in her piece that abortions take place at the hospital on Wednesdays. Who provided her with this information? Is her knowing the times and dates when abortions happen not an example of the precise breach that was unfairly levelled against pro-life supporters without any evidence or proof whatsoever?

The Irish independent and Ms Coyne have a lot of explaining to do.


Watch Senator Rónán Mullen’s contribution in the Seanad here

Government’s promotion of abortion ahead of positive alternatives “very concerning” says Councillor Sarah O’Reilly
Councillor Sarah O’Reilly

Cavan Councillor Sarah O’Reilly of Aontú has branded as “deeply concerning” the findings of a recent study by Students for Life showing that the State funded My Options hotline are encouraging women conflicted about having an abortion to nonetheless book an abortion appointment.

Speaking this week about the recent revelations unearthed by Students for Life, Cllr O’Reilly said:

“As someone who experienced unplanned pregnancy in the past myself, and as a pro-life county councillor, I was very concerned to read the findings of the research project undertaken by Students for Life Ireland. The idea that women who explicitly tell the so-called “My Options” helpline staff that they are unsure about going ahead with abortion are still being encouraged to go ahead and book abortions is very troubling. Words like ‘choice’ and ‘options’ ring hollow if only one choice is being pushed by the HSE”.

Cllr O’Reilly continued: “This issue is scandalous – and I have pro-choice friends who would agree with me on this – nobody should face pressure to have an abortion. There needs to be an investigation into this”.

“Research we in Aontú have undertaken found that while millions of euro have been spent on abortion, by government, nothing whatsoever has been spent on promoting positive alternative options, this needs to be addressed also. When it comes to the abortion debate in Ireland there is no balance at the moment, but I would really hope the media will pick up on this phenomenal research by Students for Life, and report the findings of their investigation”, concluded Cllr O’Reilly.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has to date refused to publicly comment on the damning revelations that have come to light about the way My Options is operating.

US writer thanks singer Nicki Minaj for publicly addressing the pain of abortion
Rap singer Nicki Minaj

In an open letter to world famous singer Nicki Minaj, the US writer and researcher Bettina di Fiore has thanked the rap artist for her song ‘Autobiography’ about abortion regret. Writing this week, Ms di Fiore said: “A few days ago, someone pointed me toward the lyrics to your song, ‘Autobiography.’ I didn’t know very much about you or your music before that, but after reading verse three, I feel like we are sisters.”

She continued: “Reading these words brings tears to my eyes, because I get it. I had my first abortion at age 16, mostly because the father insisted, and everybody I went to for advice told me I wasn’t ready. They told me my child deserved better than what I could give her – as if killing her was somehow a way of doing better by her. Like you, I ‘adhered to the nonsense’ and believed the doubts these poisonous voices planted inside my head.”

Minaj, who became the first solo female rap artist to reach one billion views on YouTube for one of her songs has talked openly about her abortion and in her song ‘Autobiography’ addresses the issue directly.

Here’s one of the verses from ‘Autobiography’:

Please, baby, forgive me
Mommy was young, mommy was too busy tryna have fun
But I don’t pat myself on the back for sending you back
‘Cause God knows I was better than that
To conceive you then leave you, the concept alone seems evil
I’m trapped in my conscience, I adhered to the nonsense
Listened to people who told me I wasn’t ready for you
But how … would they know what I was ready to do?
And of course, it wasn’t your fault
It’s like I feel you in the air, I hear you saying
“Mommy don’t cry, can’t you see I’m right here?”
I gotta let you know what you mean to me
When I’m sleeping, I see you in my dreams with me
Wish I could touch your little face or just hold your little hand
If it’s part of God’s plan, maybe we can meet again

Join us on the 27th of February for PLC Hike for Life
Where: Portmarnock Strand (Meet at the Globe Monument)

When: Sunday 27th February @ 1pm

Join us for a family day out in Portmarnock on Sunday 27th February where we will walk along Portmarnock Strand (approx 5km) and afterwards have tea and refreshments.

Goodie Bags will be provided for children. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow pro-life supporters in person after so long apart!

Please register here so we can have an idea of numbers for arranging refreshments and goodie bags on the day.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

For more information, please visit: https://prolifecampaign.ie/hikeforlife/
HIRING NOW - Job Vacancies with PLC and SFL
Do you want to work with a dynamic human rights organisation?
Closing Dates for all vacancies is the 18th of February 


The Pro Life Campaign is looking for a Campaigns Officer to join our high performing and growing human rights organisation.

We have an opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to help drive high profile, public-facing campaigns to achieve positive pro-life change across Ireland. As a Campaigns Officer you will lead in planning tactics and delivering cross-organisational activities that influence real change in Government and individuals.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here


The Pro Life Campaign is looking for a Media Officer to join our high performing and growing human rights organisation.

We have an opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to help drive and foster good media relationships in order to achieve positive pro-life change across Ireland. As a Media Officer you will lead in planning, organising, communicating, and delivering media content across traditional and new media platforms.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here


Students for Life is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual who will contribute to the strategic development of the pro-life movement in Ireland via their role as Student Outreach Officer. This is an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate who is deeply committed to pro-life activism.

For More Information and to Apply Now see here
Register Now for PLC Network Workshop on Wednesday the 2nd of March from 7.30PM to 8.30PM
Register Now for PLC Network Workshop

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

The workshop will be centred around Effective Social Media Communication. 

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
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 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. 

Thank you!

 

Apply Now by filling in the application form

Follow us on social media!
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Spotify
LinkedIn
Website
Email

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]

Copyright © 2022 Pro Life Campaign, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive updates from the Pro Life Campaign

Our mailing address is:
Pro Life Campaign
24 Mount Street Upper
Dublin 2
Dublin, Co. Dublin D02 R229
Ireland

Add us to your address book


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.