CORNELIUS O'LEARY,
Sir, - The title, The Woman's Right to Choose, is incomplete. What it means is the right of a woman to choose to have an abortion. The stated objective of that organisation, since it was formed in Dublin in 1980, was to secure the repeal of the only legislative barrier to abortion in the Republic of Ireland - the (Westminster) Offences against the Person Act 1861. (The term "pro-choice" is also misleading; the child in the womb is not given a choice)
The formation of the WRC led directly to the Pro-Life Amendment Campaign. At the foundation meeting in Dublin (which I chaired) on January 31st 1981, those present, (including doctors and lawyers) agreed that no party in the Dáil was then in favour of legalising abortion; but there was no guarantee that in future such legislation might not be passed - perhaps in a hung Dáil. It was agreed that an amendment to the Constitution, which could not be changed by ordinary law, was the proper course to pursue. That amendment (now Article 40.3.3.) was approved by 66.9 per cent of the voters on September 8th 1983.
What was feared in 1981 has now come to pass. Three parties represented in the Dáil are opposing the 25th Amendment, necessitated by the two Supreme Court decisions. The Labour Party is adopting the full "pro-choice" attitude; the Greens and Sinn Féin are for limited abortion; Fine Gael is divided; but Fianna Fáil and the PDs are for the amendment. In a democracy it is absurd to speak of an "invalid" amendment proposal. The people are sovereign and can change or repeal any part of the Constitution, and, if they wish, adopt a new Constitution, as in France in 1958.
Finally, as to the people who claim to be "pro-life", but are ready to join with the "pro-choice" groups in attempting to defeat what is probably the last chance to insert an anti-abortion amendment in the Irish Constitution, the most charitable reaction is to say that they are very misguided. - Yours, etc.,
Emeritus Professor
CORNELIUS O'LEARY,
Vice-Chairman, Pro-Life
Amendment Campaign
1981-83),
School of Politics,
Queen's University,
Belfast.
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Sir, - Absolute certainty is a wonderful thing! William Binchy in 1983 was absolutely certain that a Yes vote was right. He was also certain that the constitutional amendment he advocated would achieve his objective - a total ban on abortion. Anyone in 1983 who questioned his certainties was smeared with the taunt that they favoured abortion on demand.
Over the past 20 years, every authoritative pronouncement made by him in 1983 has been proved wrong. Despite this, he is at it again, back in the public limelight, consumed by his own certainties.
Any chance of a little humility and a smidgeon of self-doubt? Any chance of an acknowledgement that he could yet again be wrong? It seems from his article in your edition of February 25th that the answer is no.
It also seems that until March 6th, the entire country is to be locked into a 1983 time-warp. The only difference is that when, in the early 1980s, William Binchy first launched his campaign for a constitutional amendment on abortion, 2,000 Irish women annually were going to Britain to terminate their pregnancies. Today, the number is 7,000.
Sadly, until next Wednesday, the debate and the name-calling will continue and the real plight of women in crisis pregnancies will be largely ignored. - Yours, etc.,
ALAN SHATTER TD,
Fine Gael Spokesperson
for Justice and Defence,
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.
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A chara - For many years I and many other people have been involved in the effort to protect the right to life of all human beings, both born and unborn. That effort was expressed in referendums, pro-life rallies, picketing ant-life establishments and preaching the gospel of life in season and out, welcome or unwelcome. That effort was and still is very necessary. It is our God-given duty.
I have examined the words of the bill for the forthcoming referendum on March 6th - carefully and prayerfully - and I have consulted widely.
I believe the proposal being put before the people affords us an opportunity of taking an important step forward on the road to protecting the right to life of the unborn and safeguarding the lives of pregnant women. If passed, it will overturn the Supreme Court's X Case that allowed the killing of one human being because another human being threatened suicide.
I remain unwavering in my uncompromising commitment to the protection of all human life - I will vote Yes, if God spares me. I plead with all voters of good will to unite in voting Yes. For Yes is definitely best for Life. - Yours, etc.,
Fr ANTHONY SCULLY,
Cherry Orchard Parish,
Ballyfermot,
Dublin 10.
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Sir, - If I were a younger man today (I am now in my 82nd year) with a daughter in her teens who told me that she was a couple of months pregnant and did not wish to marry the man who had impregnated her, I would advise her to have a termination of her pregnancy. I believe there should be facilities in this State for the operation to be performed here.
Between the 1920s and the 1970s it is probable that hundreds of young Irishwomen died for lack of hysterectomies due to the attitude of the Church to these operations. Today its attitude to terminations of pregnancy is much the same.
The proscription of the morning-after pill because it would eliminate a blob of sperm is farcical. I will vote no, but I do not support abortion on demand or free choice. - Yours, etc.,
TOM GERAGHTY,
Ursuline Court,
Waterford.
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Sir, - The faith of the Catholic Church in Ireland has never been tested as at the present time.
All evidence to date clearly demonstrates that the political parties in Dáil Éireann want some legalised abortion. One can see why it must be immensely desirable for our politicians to have the people of Ireland, rather than they, bring in this evil legislation.
It will therefore be a tragedy without precedent in the history of our nation if the Catholic bishops of Ireland should continue to encourage and lead our people to facilitate our politicians and their EU partners in this way.
What a victory for Satan, what a terrible example for the world that "Catholic" Ireland should (as far as I am aware) be the first country where it was the people themselves, and not their politicians who legislated for the destruction of their unborn. God save Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Mrs JULIE CONNOLLY,
Beneavin Road,
Finglas.
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Sir, - Item 12 of the Catholic bishops' statement on the abortion referendum states: "Catholic voters should feel free in conscience to support this measure even if it is viewed as less than might have been desired."
Nowhere in their statement does it say that people are free in conscience to vote against the proposal. Does this mean freedom of conscience applies only when you agree with the bishops' point of view? - Yours, etc.,
BRENDAN SCALLON,
College Park,
Castleknock,
Dublin 2.
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Sir, The letter from Father Patrick McCafferty(March 1st) clarifies everything on the subject of how Catholics "worthy of the name" must vote. Must! He has managed in his letter to extend the doctrine of infallibility to the bishops, no doubt relieving the Holy Father himself of a great burden. By explanation, he suggests that the bishops gave their advice (to vote Yes) only "after the most profound and prayerful consideration". They are not just expressing an opinion. Wow! He further states that "it is to the bishops that faithful Catholics must listen".
Please check Father McCafferty's letter postmark to confirm late arrival of 1950s mail.He must be joking. - Yours, etc.,
G.R. FitzGerald,
Maypark Lane,
Waterford.
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Sir, - I am Protestant and my partner is Catholic. Over time we have engaged in many conversations about religion. Very often the conversation comes down to my partner's insistence that, in spite of dogma, the bottom-line message of the Catholic Churchis, "Let your conscience guide you".
Now, thanks to Father Patrick McCafferty's letter, I have an example, in black and white, in a priest's own words, to back up my differing opinion in this debate. - Yours, etc.,
JANET COBB,
Newbridge,
Co Kildare.