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Home Page > News > Pope Benedict slams Ireland’s attempts to introduce abortion

Pope Benedict slams Ireland’s attempts to introduce abortion

Pontiff outlines his ‘dismay’ at proposals to change law

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 7:18 AM

Updated Tuesday, January 8, 2013, 9:28 AM

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Pope Benedict has slammed Ireland's attempts at clarifying abortion law

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The Pope has slammed proposals to change Ireland’s anti-abortion laws and expressed his ‘dismay’ at the moves.

Pope Benedict appeared to refer to Ireland in an address at the Vatican when he expressed his horror at the proposed introduction of abortion legislation ‘in various countries, even those of Christian tradition.’

The Irish Times reports that the leader of the Catholic Church made the remarks during his annual keynote address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps.

Speaking about abortion, he said: “I must note with dismay that, in various countries, even those of Christian tradition, efforts are being made to introduce or expand legislation which decriminalises abortion.

“Direct abortion, that is to say willed as an end or as a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

“In affirming this, the Catholic Church is not lacking in understanding and mercy, also towards the mother involved.”

Vatican sources have told the Irish Times that any apparent reference to the current debate in Ireland was ‘intentional.’

During the speech the Pope also referred to various world issues including the Syrian conflict and the ongoing dispute between Israel and Palestine.

He urged both parties to commit themselves to a peaceful co-existence.

The pontiff also expressed concern about a ruling last month by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in favour of the right to access in vitro fertilisation in Costa Rica.

Pope Benedict called on authorities globally to work for peace.

He added: “I am particularly concerned for that privileged region in God’s plan namely the Middle East.
“I think first and foremost of Syria, torn apart by endless slaughter and the scene of dreadful suffering among its civilian population.

“I renew my appeal for a ceasefire and the inauguration as quickly as possible of a constructive dialogue aimed at putting an end to a conflict which will know no victors but only vanquished if it continues.”

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43 Comments

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misneac | Jan 10, 2013, 07:16 PM EST

barneyjo -to explain .The first part of my comment dealt with the incorrect title to the story . . .The Indian reference was to the hysterical reporting and comment by the that countrys media on the death of the Indian lady Savita ,incidentally from causes not yet made pulic by the medical enquiry team .Rather ironic considering the attitude of India as a nation ,exemplified by the recent horrific rape case .In all the anti Catholic rants I read on IC there seems to be a denial of the right for any Catholic spokesperson to express a point of view !!!

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barneyjo | Jan 10, 2013, 06:05 PM EST

@misneac - dont follow the rationale in your post, sorry!!

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misneac | Jan 10, 2013, 02:21 PM EST

The headline to this report is totally sensationalist and inaccurate ! The Pope did not "slam " Ireland ,or even mention Ireland in his speech .So why the lies ? Incidentally , I have not noticed any reportage of indignation from Indian media recently on womens rights !!!

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barneyjo | Jan 10, 2013, 06:37 AM EST

@howareya - Like yourself, I cannot be present every time someone seeks to murder a 2yr old child, either to say "dont do it" or to prevent them from doing so!! So in that case the only thing standing between that child and harm, is the conscience of the person who is contemplating harming the child (assuming that person has a conscience in the first instance)So, no, the gift of free will is there for all, but so to is the responsibility of exercising it according to God's graces, as well as the consequences if we do not; both in this life, and the next!! @Gearoid4 - hardly indecent haste when you consider that it is 20 years since the "X" case impacted on the conscience of the Irish Nation. Abortion legislation predicated on a strictly catholic ethos will not be applicable to the populations of Hindus, Moslems, Siekhs, and other ethnic groups that have made their home in Ireland. The State, if it is to be a true Republic has to legislate for ALL its Citizens!!

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aloistmartin | Jan 09, 2013, 10:28 PM EST

If Ireland is to remain Irish; The Pope must be above both, the Degenerating, Lily Liver`d, Globalizationist Weal, of her Bourgoise, and their subordinate Pseudo-Progressive, Liberal, Labor Party, underlings ! The only legitimate argument for any Green Eyed Republican would be on the question of Separation of Church and State; But how far, should The Irish Republic go towards expressing her Secular Prerogatives, before her Kultural and Moral Obligations ? ... The Forth Commandment: Honor Thy Father And Thy Mother ~ hO

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Gearoid4 | Jan 09, 2013, 02:26 PM EST

I can see how your point is relevant in a general sense, Barneyjo, regarding the pros and cons of the arguments on both sides. But if you boiled the argument down to it's essentials, you will see how the pro-abortion position has gone beyond medical necessity and is heavily ideological in terms of the indecent haste with which it's promoters are pushing for pro-abort legislation. There will be times when direct surgical intervention is necessary to save a woman's life during pregnancies as during situations where complications arise due to cancer of the cervix or preeclampsia(gestational hypertension). But doctors/surgeons are already empowered in Ireland to do all they can(as in the above) cases to take all necessary medically-required action to save a woman's life(and that of fetus/embryo). A pro-abortion law will not make any worthwhile additions to those pre-existing powers and it will surely open the floodgates to abortion on demand.

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howareya | Jan 09, 2013, 10:58 AM EST

barneyjo..."I believe that the taking of any life is wrong. I believe that any attempt of mine to impose that belief on others is equally so." So you would stand by and watch a person murder their 2 year old child and do nothing because you don't want to impose your beliefs on others? In my opinion, that is the same thing. I am a woman and I was pregnant, unmarried and it was quite awhile ago...so I know what I am talking about. I am not some man imposing my opinions. I always find it amusing..maybe that's not the right term...that when a woman wants a child...it is a child from the time she finds out. But if it is inconvenient, it is only a blob and can be gotten rid of. My daughter was born at 1.6 oz. and I know of people that have had abortions at that point. You could not tell me she was not a human being. She was tiny and helpless and needed help to survive but she was a person! And I do believe that it is okay with the church to save a woman's life if it is needed to abort the baby. The whole recent debaucle is because the hospital did not handle it correctly.

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Smyrnian | Jan 09, 2013, 09:50 AM EST

f-ergo - that's a really nice thought. One can only imagine!

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f-ergo | Jan 09, 2013, 09:20 AM EST

The Vatican really needs a reality check. I can really see Jews and Muslims - Israelis and Palestinians ready to sign up to longlasting peace because Benedick said so.

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Smyrnian | Jan 09, 2013, 09:07 AM EST

Something must be wrong as there has been no new anti-Catholic articles from Irish Central in a few days. Surely their search engines must be working overtime to dig up something; anything! The anti-Catholic posters on this website must be salivating in anticipation! Something must surely pop up any minute now....

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darragh S | Jan 09, 2013, 08:42 AM EST

While I am at it when is the next witch burning on, I am a bit frustrated with all the evil bull.

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darragh S | Jan 09, 2013, 08:41 AM EST

Not having abortions is like relying on nuclear power. Sooner or later you will run out of Uranium and be stuck with the Uranium waste and waste water and nothing but solar and wind power to keep it cool. Good luck with that kids of the future.

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barneyjo | Jan 09, 2013, 07:09 AM EST

@Gearoid4 - Ah but who seeks to define any law as good or bad? The proponents of the law, and the opponents of the law respectively surely!! The default position of an opponent to legislation on abortion or any other issue has to be that it is "bad" I would argue that the same is not the case for proponents. Invariably, proponents can and will argue the case for this issue as something which is good; but there is a second argument which says that something may not be good (such as abortion - in this case) but it may still be necessary!! And I believe this to be the case as far as the legislation for abortion is concerned. As a (still) practicing Catholic, I treasure the gift of free will which allows me to seek to develop a closer relationship with God, where I am called upon to follow the teachings given to us (with uncertain footsteps I'll grant you) It is my wish and choice to bear witness to Gods presence in the world in the hope that others can and will come to know that same God through me!! I believe that the taking of any life is wrong. I believe that any attempt of mine to impose that belief on others is equally so. We, each of us can only exercise that freedom of choice according to our own conscience, but with the added responsibility that we are prepared to accept any resulting consequences!!

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IrelandNorth | Jan 09, 2013, 03:13 AM EST

He's entitled to his opinion. He is, after all, the leader of the worlds largest orthodox Christian franchise, even if it is a democratically unaccountable autocracy. Just as the Queen of England, as popess of the Lutheran Anglican Communion can have her speak likewise. Live and let live.

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Proud Canadian2 | Jan 09, 2013, 12:02 AM EST

Irish Central I guess didn't like my first comment so I'll just say Pope mind your own business. See if that goes through. Just saying.

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