The Irish parliament will begin hearings in January on legalization of abortion, and the Irish government promises to have a bill before the Dáil Éireann by Easter. The new law will permit abortion in order to save the life of a mother, including those who threaten to commit suicide if they are denied the procedure [Global News]. In response to the announcement, and reports that Prime Minister Enda Kenny might force objecting members of his party to vote for the bill, Ireland’s four Catholic archbishops have protested the proposed changes, and insisted that the government must respect lawmakers’ freedom of conscience.
The extent to which the Irish Taoseach (Prime Minister) is willing to permit members of his own party to exercise freedom of conscience may indicate what hopes exist for freedom of conscience for Irish health care workers who do not wish to participate in or facilitate abortions.