Sir, - I apologise to Joe Foyle (October 5th) for thinking that he accepts the Catholic teaching on abortion. That teaching holds that abortion (a direct attack on unborn life) is always wrong. Operations where the mother's life is in danger and the death of the unborn is an indirect consequence (as in ectopic pregnancy and cancer of the womb) have never been regarded as abortions.
This teaching was repeated many times by Catholic bishops, both individually and collectively, during the two-year controversy (1981-83), on "The Abortion Referendum" - the longest in the history of The Irish Times. I find it incredible that Archbishop Connell is claimed as a supporter of "legalised necessary abortion".
Mr Foyle may confuse your readers by referring to abortion in Northern Ireland. The Criminal Justice Act 1945 allows abortion there in certain circumstances e.g. where there is a danger of a deformed child.
Mr Foyle derides "semantics". But the proper use of language is extremely important, especially in legislation. - Yours, etc.,
Cornelius O'Leary, Emeritus Professor, Department of Politics, The Queen's University of Belfast.