Protection of Conscience Project News
Service, not Servitude
The Irish Independent
A leading bishop has called on doctors, nurses, teachers and pharmaceutical workers to “resist” the new abortion regime.
He urged such professionals to “stick together” in their resistance to the new law.
Bishop Kevin Doran said the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill, which is before the Seanad this week, has no moral force and must be resisted. “Catholics have no obligation whatsoever to obey this law,” he told the Irish Independent. . . [Full text]
The Irish Times
Catholics cannot be forced to obey laws which go against the basic principles of their faith, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has said. . .
Concerning the Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy Bill, which goes before the Seanad this week, Archbishop Martin said, “There’s a clear Catholic teaching that if legislation is against the basic principles of faith of people that they can’t be forced to carry it out. ” . . . [Full text]
Sunday Independent
HERE are 22 days to go before the roll-out of abortion services on January 1. It should be a historic occasion when the overwhelming support shown by Irish voters for a woman’s right to choose becomes reality.
But as the deadline looms, disquiet among some doctors that it is ambitious to the point of being unsafe has grown louder.
Doctors who campaigned strongest for a Yes vote in the referendum are now questioning the January 1 start date, chosen by Health Minister Simon Harris, and complaining about the lack of clarity. . . [Full text]
Irish Independent
WOMEN will not be able to secure a medical abortion from GP out-of-hours surgeries, the Irish Independent has learned.
The GP service, which provides medical cover from 6pm to 8am, has become the first port of call for an increasing number of patients due to a shortage of doctors.
Dr Ken Egan, chairman of the National Association of GP Co-ops, said a woman seeking an abortion would not be classified as an emergency which is the service out-of-hours doctors provide. . . [Full text]
Irish Examiner
The professional body for obstetricians and gynaecologists is to hold an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the introduction of abortion services.
The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists confirmed it had received a motion seeking an EGM.
The national professional and training body has around 200 members who are experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists. . . [Full text]