27th January 2023
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In this Issue...

READ: Michael Healy-Rae appointed Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Suicide (#mhr)

SIGN: Petition to DEFUND the National Women’s Council gathering momentum! (#sy1)

WATCH: Short video on Why it’s time to DEFUND the National Women’s Council (#WTC)

READ: First annual March for Life in Washington DC since overturning of Roe v Wade (#mfl1)

READ: Dad fined for praying silently for his dead son outside abortion clinic (#SY2)

REGISTER NOW: Upcoming PLC Network Workshop Series on Effective Social Media Communication on Wednesday February 1st from 7.30pm-8.30pm
Michael Healy-Rae appointed Chair of Oireachtas Committee on Assisted Suicide ()

Kerry Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae has been appointed Chair of the special Oireachtas Committee on assisted suicide/euthanasia.

Those who pushed hardest for the new committee to be established are determined to see euthanasia legalised in this country. There will be much talk about wanting “proper safeguards” and making sure no one ever feels “pressured” to opt for euthanasia but when you look at what has happened in countries like Canada these arguments simply don’t stand up.

The appointment of Deputy Healy-Rae as Chair of the new committee is based on the rotation system regarding chairmanships that operates in the Oireachtas between the various political parties and groupings. Deputy Healy-Rae has chaired Oireachtas committees in the past and is widely respected for the fair and impartial way he conducted himself. The names of other committee members have still to be released but they most likely will be heavily weighted in favour of euthanasia.

Canada legalised euthanasia in 2016. There was a quadrupling in the numbers of people who ended their lives this way in the first three years of the law taking effect. All the same promises were made there about “stringent safeguards” and how restrictive the law would be in practice.

In 2021, 10,064 lives were ended by euthanasia in Canada, an increase of over 32% from the previous year, accounting for 3.3% of all deaths in Canada. 17.3% of people cited “isolation or loneliness” as a reason for wanting to die. In 35.7% of cases, patients believed that they were a “burden on family, friends or caregivers”.

In 2020, People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Gino Kenny’s bill allowing for euthanasia in Ireland passed at Second Stage in the Dáil by 81 votes to 71. Thankfully, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice stopped the bill from progressing to a final vote.

It’s really important whenever the new committee gets up and running that we make our voices heard and support the work of groups like Hope Ireland (www.hopeireland.org ([link removed]) ). We need to be generous in coming forward to share personal stories that could impact the debate. Don’t assume your story about yourself or a loved one has no relevance in the debate. Send a quick email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) and tell them about your story. They will treat it in the strictest confidence and respect your wishes on how it might be transmitted to a wider audience.
Petition to DEFUND the National Women’s Council gathering momentum! ()

Sign the petition and spread the word! ([link removed])

Over 1,200 people have signed the petition in the past week calling for the defunding of the National Women’s Council, the taxpayer funded body leading an aggressive push at present for late-term abortion on request to be legalised.

By signing the petition below, you will be adding your voice to the call to defund the NWCI and start over with something better in its place.

It’s disgraceful the way the NWCI claims to represent ALL women, while completely brushing aside the concerns of women who regret their abortions and the majority of women who want to see alternatives to abortion promoted.

The changes we want to see happen won’t occur overnight but that shouldn’t dissuade us from getting started. Together, we must shine a light on the unfairness of what’s happening in order to bring about change.

The DEFUND petition is off to a great start. Let’s spread the word and keep the momentum going!

When you’ve signed the petition, please share the link with family and friends and encourage them to be part of the effort as well. Thanks for all your help!

Click here ([link removed]) to sign the petition
Sign the Petition Here! ([link removed])
Watch short video on Why it’s time to DEFUND the National Women’s Council (http://)
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Click here ([link removed]) or above to watch the video
First annual March for Life in Washington DC since overturning of Roe v Wade (http://)
The annual March for Life that took place in Washington DC last week was the first such gathering since the overturning of Roe v Wade in 2022. What would have been the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Roe v Wade decision (that legalised abortion across the US) turned into a celebration event, following last year’s momentous Supreme Court decision, making it possible once again to introduce laws protecting the right to life of unborn babies. Congratulations again to the incredible people who worked tirelessly and selflessly for all those years to produce such a far-reaching and life-changing outcome!

See selection below of photos from last week's March for Life in Washington DC

Dad fined for praying silently for his dead son outside abortion clinic (http://)
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Last week, a video emerged of a dad from Bournemouth, England being questioned by police for praying silently outside an abortion clinic for his dead son who was aborted.

The footage shows the police officer intrusively asking Adam Smith-Connor: "What is the nature of your prayer?"

When Adam responds that he’s praying for his son who had been aborted, the police officer tells him he is in breach of the UK’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The video has gone viral like the footage before Christmas (watched by millions) showing pro-life volunteer Isabel Vaughn-Spruce being arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Birmingham.

At last, people are getting an opportunity to see how ludicrous exclusion zone laws (so called ‘safe access zones’) are in practice. While the Government here still intends pressing ahead with introducing an equally draconian law in Ireland targeting pro-life people, there’s still time to stop it from happening. It’s vital that we do everything possible to oppose this out-and-out attack on basic freedoms.

Watch and share this ([link removed]) latest video showing Adam Smith-Connor being questioned by the police.
Register Now for Upcoming PLC Network Workshop Series on Effective Social Media Communication on Wednesday February 1st from 7.30pm-8.30pm (http://)
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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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