Protection of Conscience Project News
Service, not Servitude
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]
Dear Mr. Harris,
We are dedicated, hardworking nurses and midwives who care for patients from conception to natural death. We have a conscientious commitment to life which accords with the values inherent in Our Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics. We respect and defend the dignity of every stage of human life and we have a responsibility to make every valid or reasonable effort to protect the life and health of pregnant women and their unborn babies.
We are extremely concerned that the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018, in particular, Part 3 Section 24 (3)*, will seriously impact on our ability to practise. In 2018 two Scottish midwives Mary Doogan and Connie Wood were forced to quit their jobs when they refused to oversee abortions. For the first time this legislation, which differs from the 2013 Act, will permit the intentional ending of the life of the unborn child up to birth. For us as nurses and midwives participation in termination of pregnancy defined in relation to a pregnant woman, as a medical procedure which is intended to end the life of a foetus, is morally objectionable and conflicts with our conscientious commitment to life.
Participation includes any supervision, delegation, planning or supporting of staff involved in termination of pregnancy. We do not want to be discriminated against by our employers or victimised as employees if we exercise our right to freedom of conscience.
We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis in the Health Service and as yet there has been no effort made by you as Minister for Health to consult the nursing or midwifery professions on the clinical implications of this bill.
We are calling on you as Minister for Health:
(a) to consult our professions in relation to this legislation and
(b) to support the amendments that have been tabled to protect our right to freedom of conscience so we will not be forced out of our professions.
Yours sincerely,
Catherina O’Sullivan RPN Secretary,
Fiona McHugh, Clinical Paediatric Nurse Specialist
PRO and Nurses and Midwives for Life Ireland
*Section 24 (3) A person who has a conscientious objection referred to in subsection (1) shall, as soon as may be, make such arrangements for the transfer of care of the pregnant woman concerned as may be necessary to enable the woman to avail of the termination of pregnancy concerned.