A chara, – Stephen Neill (Rite and Reason, June 4th) has done a great service to our country in pointing out the “increasingly dysfunctional and polarising” nature of the present abortion debate. On the previous day, and from an entirely different perspective, Cora Sherlock, spokeswoman for the Pro Life Campaign, in her article, “Coalition turning deaf ear to opponents of legislation” wrote, “If you think we’re having a debate on abortion at the moment, I’m afraid you’re mistaken”. But Sherlock makes clear that she wants a one-sided debate!
Has the time come to debate the debate?
The present ping-pong nature of “pro-life” and “pro-choice” is, for me, souless. In presenting us with a a purely static moral system, both of these polarised camps are dealing in mechanical, impersonal, selective absolutes that are rigid, external, black and white. One side’s Yes is the other side’s predictable No. There is no growth or development possible. As the months go by, it gets so boring!
We who are Christians claim to be co-creators with God and Christ-bearers, as Canon Neill reminds us. That, to me, means that we struggle to live, moment by moment, by love and compassion for all humanity. Muslims, Buddhists and other religions follow a similar vision, expressed differently.
As a Christian, I am both “pro-life” and “pro-choice”. In this middle ground I can both appreciate and withdraw from aspects of both camps. I want the great gift of life respected from the moment of conception to death: but where that involves difficult decisions, I want responsible choice to be the hallmark of respect for life. I want the heart-rending decisions of women in child-birth to be respected and supported.
Finally, I would love to see the abortion debate move to this middle ground and I thank Canon Neill for his inspiring contribution. – Is mise,
IRENE Ní MHÁILLE,
Seapoint Avenue,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – As a practising medical doctor for the past 38 years, mostly in general practice, I cannot see the proposed abortion legislation as pro-life. In fact it is quite the opposite. I’ve no doubt that in time it will lead to a more liberal abortion law, followed by euthanasia being made available in Ireland.
The basic medical ethic to protect and preserve human life from conception to natural death will be undermined, as is happening in other countries. Most doctors won’t be happy with this situation in the years to come. Let us desist before it’s too late. – Yours, etc,
Dr MICHAEL P CUNNEEN,
Courtmacsherry,
Co Cork.
Sir, – Over the past few months every conceivable opinion on abortion has been published in your letters page. Perhaps the time is now right for a termination of this discussion. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN DOLAN,
Rochestown Avenue,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.