A prominent member of the Pro-Life Campaign in Galway has resigned to set up a new anti-abortion organisation opposed to the wording of the Government amendment on abortion.
Mrs Mary Thornton, a founder and former chairwoman of Galway for Life, yesterday announced the setting up of Ireland For Life. She told The Irish Times that groups and individuals from nine counties signed up to it immediately, and people were contacting her from all over the country.
A spokesman for the Pro-Life Campaign said they were aware from the start that people had concerns about the proposal, but were confident these were diminishing, following the recent statement by the Catholic bishops on the matter, and these would diminish further.
Mrs Thornton, who resigned as vice-chairwoman of the anti-abortion group in Galway before Christmas, said yesterday the new group was established in response to "the many serious concerns" of people throughout the country at the wording of the Government's proposed amendment.
"There is a deliberate attempt to redefine protection of the life of the unborn only after implantation in the womb, and this is not acceptable. The members of Ireland For Life are clearly stating that there must be respect and absolute protection for the dignity of human life from conception to natural death," she said.
"The Irish people have consistently asked for a clear choice to vote for protection for life from conception, not for a political compromise," she added. Asked if she would be campaigning against the amendment, she said she did not know what resources the group would have.
"We'll do our best. We'll mount an information campaign. We just don't know enough about it. What we see we don't like. There's openings there for extremely liberal interpretations. What is a procedure? What is reasonable opinion?"
Mrs Thornton said it had been "very painful" for her to leave the Pro-Life Campaign, of which she had been a founder member in Galway.
She had great regard for people such as Prof William Binchy and Mr Joe McCarroll, but just could not support the proposed amendment "in order to be nice".
She also said that in opposing the amendment she was "perfectly happy" she was not going against the Catholic Church.
She pointed out that the bishops had said Catholics could vote No in the referendum.
She felt it was her duty to oppose the amendment which she considered "a dangerous thing". It was her duty to tell people about it.