Archbishop of Dublin describes Savita death as a ‘terrible disaster’

Eamonn has not replied to the question I put to him about his statistic, "that last year, ELEVEN women died in childbirth in England after contracting septicaemia." My question is 'How many of the 11 women who died of septicemia in England were Irish women whose doctors referred them to the UK for abortion of health- or life-endangering pregnancies?' Irish law prohibits abortion even when the fetus has lethal anomalies. When existing Irish law sends women to prison for life (the 1861 anti-abortion law), women delay, sometimes too long, and life-threatening problems develop. How many of those UK deaths were Irish women sent abroad to seek life-saving medical care?

Oh, BTW, I think that EamonnDublin has some very valid points to make about the contraction and care for septicaemia.

As another author described, the media jumped on the bandwagon in this tragic case before all the facts had been made public. It is legal in Ireland to abort if the mother's life is in jeopardy. There is also an ethical aspect in Roman Catholicism called the Principle of Double Effect. I am not a trained ethicist, but Portia777, I think that would be the case here so hating the Roman Catholic Church is not in order. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy says of Double Effect, "It is claimed that sometimes it is permissible to cause such a harm as a side effect (or “double effect”) of bringing about a good result even though it would not be permissible to cause such a harm as a means to bringing about the same good end." SO saving the mother's life by allowing the baby to die might be permissible. (Though I have seen that denied elsewhere.)I think that in the end run, we as media consumers just do not know all the facts so the hating must stop.

If ignorance were manure there would be roses on this page

this series of comments with a few honourable exceptions support the view that the truth ought not get in the way of invinciblebigoted ignorance. 1 . if the mother's life was lost on the basis that a decision was made not to terminate the pregnancy on the mistaken view that such a procedure was unlawful then it is possible that a doctor or doctors might be prosecuted for culpable homicide. First it would have to be shown that termination would as a matter of fact have been essential to save the life of the mother. had that been the case then not terminating the pregnancy might be shown to have been to be the cause of the mother's death. What if there had been a termination and the mother's life had been saved would the doctors be free of prosecution? Not necessarily so! Don't forg et that the State stopped "X" from trying to get an abortion in the UK by depriving her of her constitutional right (unenumerated) to travel! So all it would take was for the State to decide that the termination was not (really)necessary therefore the doctors could be prosecuted under the Offences against the Person Act 1861. So who can tell me that "clarity" is not required?

more moral cowardice from the people of Ireland.

More unthinking nonsense Norm, which shows an unwillingness to reflect on this tragic situation which has not even reached the inquiry stage yet.

This all proves again the real enemy of Ireland was the Catholic Corporation. Wake up ffs...

Idiotic comments from Joe, in view of the less-than-clear circumstances which caused the young woman's death, and the inquiry stage has not been reached yet. This is indicative of the unthinking attitude of a lot of people regarding this tragedy, which requires less ideological posturing and campaigning and more reflection.

By the way, Joe, your comment that the doctors in Galway committed manslaughter is a libellous comment. You really should be more careful. If the doctors take exception to it, it might cost you a lot of money. You really should wait for the result of the Inquiry before you come out with dangerous stuff like that. Éamonn.

"JoeKelsall" - For your info, I am not a practicing Catholic. I do indeed say the odd prayer - but usually when I have a problem. I find it helps me personally. You please do whatever you want, but let me do what I want as long as I am not hurting anybody. Now, Joe, exactly where have you discovered that the good doctors and/or nurses in Galway are guilty of manslaughter? I should like to know. Have you informed the Inquiry of this knowledge of yours? As for England, I spent 21 years there - and I came back to Ireland to raise my children here. Speaking of England, for whose people I have the height of respect and admiration, I understand that last year, ELEVEN women died in childbirth in England after contracting septicaemia. Now, Joe, England is NOT a Catholic country - and England ALLOWS abortion, more or less on demand. So, Joe, I wonder why those eleven women died? Was that manslaughter also? I don't believe it was. Was it because of the Church of England, or the Muslims, or the Presbyterians, or the Methodists, or the Atheists? I don't believe it was. Was it because the doctors and/or nurses are "inhumane" (of which ours have been accused because of the recent death)? I don't believe it was. I believe that everybody will have done their utmost to save these most unfortunate women. However, I am sure that you, with your apparent "inside" knowledge of such matters, will educate the rest of us with all of the facts. So, please do tell, Joe - why did the eleven women die? Oh, and Joe, you really should try to stop hurling insults around the place - it is very childish, it lowers the tone a lot, and it detracts from any argument you might think you are putting forward. Éamonn, Dublin, (Extremely Proud to be Irish).

But not enough of a disaster to prevent another one just like it from happening oh say, this afternoon, eh, archbishop?

EamonnDublin: What a bloviated ignorant fool you are. Jeez, your knees must be worn out praying? This is a straighforward storyof doctors putting religious dogma before duty. Manslaughter in fact. You mmay be proud to be Irish but Ireland does not need your kind. You should have been interred with DeValera! I , also, hail from Ireland and I am now a 'blow in' in the UK where the MOTHER'S life has priority. That is how it should be. The Christian witch doctors have got you fooled.

I appreciate that PATRICK COUNIHAN provided liberal quotes in this article rather than side-snippety opinion as we have seen in some yellow journalism of past weeks, here.

Sandy was a "terrible disaster". THIS death is the product of closed minds, and is purely man-made. THIS death was caused by men who have perverted the words of Christ, and are denying the TRUE Christian message. For the BIG GUY didn't go around preaching fear and hate, nor did HE rail against birth control ...or abortion....or gay marriage. HIS words and HIS message were simple and "down to earth": 1 Corinthians 13  / The Greatest Gift: And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I know that their are many good people out there that call themselves Catholic ...many good people searching for answers, searching for community, and searching for a way. ...in this all-too-harsh world. There's only one thing I can say to you: think for yourself, be yourself, trust yourself. Don't just accept something because it comes from a "voice of authority". For ultimately YOU are responsible for your life, and how you try to live it. That’s why you have freedom of choice and a conscience: to choose, NOT just to follow....