Belfast bishop laments abortion clinic opening in his diocese

Last updated on: October 13, 2012 at 2:09 pm by CNA Daily News

Belfast bishop laments abortion clinic opening in his diocese 2012-10-13T14:09:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Belfast, UK, Oct 13, 2012 / 08:09 am (CNA).- A new abortion clinic in Belfast, Northern Ireland scheduled to open Oct. 18 has dismayed Bishop Noel Treanor of the Diocese of Down and Connor.

“The opening of this facility further undermines the sanctity and dignity of human life in our society where the most vulnerable and defenseless human beings are already under threat,” he said Oct. 10 in a statement released on the diocesan website.

The clinic, run by Marie Stopes International, would be the first private clinic in Northern Ireland to offer abortions.

Facility representatives have said it will not be performing surgical abortions, and will perform abortions only up to the ninth week of pregnancy.

“As a Christian community and as citizens, not only must we show compassion for women who find themselves facing an unwanted pregnancy, but we should support them to explore avenues which provide care while respecting the life of their child in the womb,” Bishop Treanor wrote.

“We should enable them to respond to such situations in a life-affirming and positive way.”

“It is with great concern and dismay,” he added, “that I, like many fellow citizens who value and seek to protect human life, received news of the decision to open a Marie Stopes Clinic in Belfast where medical abortion will be offered.”

Forty percent of Northern Ireland's population is Catholic. All but one party in the legislature there has members in the All Party Pro-Life Group.

Jim Allister, a Northern Irish legislator, told the BBC that Marie Stopes International is indeed pro-choice, “except for the unborn child, who has no choice, in their view, and who should be put to death, because that's what abortion is.”

While abortion is not illegal in Northern Ireland, it is severely restricted. Between 30 and 40 abortions per year are performed there by the National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system of the United Kingdom.

In Northern Ireland, abortions can be performed only to preserve the life of the mother or if continuing the pregnancy would result in serious physical or mental health issues.

The remainder of the U.K. is governed by the Abortion Act of 1967 and its modifications. There, elective abortions may be carried out up to the 24th week of pregnancy. After 24 weeks, abortions are allowed only if there is risk to the mother's life, severe fetal abnormality, or grave physical and mental injury to the mother.

In 2011, slightly more than 1,000 women from Northern Ireland travelled to England and Wales for an abortion.

Expectant mothers from the Republic of Ireland will be able to receive abortions at the Belfast clinic.

“It is the consistent teaching of the Catholic Church that, by virtue of their common humanity, the lives of both a mother and her unborn baby are sacred,” Bishop Treanor said.

“The termination of human life following conception denies the humanity and inherent dignity of the child in the womb and violates the right to life, the most basic human right of all.”

Europe

Previous Post

October 12, 2012

Analysts say Biden's abortion stance leaves reality behind

Next Post

October 13, 2012 Sacraments aid Catholic boy in fight against cancer

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How was Haman punished for his plot?

Select your answer to see how you score.

He was hanged on the gallows he built He was beheaded He was turned into a pillar of salt He was exiled