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Home Page > News > Is Savita's death being used to advance a pro-abortion agenda in Ireland?

Is Savita's death being used to advance a pro-abortion agenda in Ireland?

Anti-religious prejudice at heart of efforts to highlight tragedy of dead woman

MARC COLEMAN,

IrishCentral Contributing Writer

Published Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 7:30 AM

Updated Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 8:50 AM

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A woman holds a picture of Savita Halappanava during a candle lit vigil outside Belfast City Hall, Northern Ireland

Photo by AP

As a broadcaster I recognise that there is a case to be made for legalising abortion in Ireland. There is also a case for preserving the right to life of the unborn child. Those wishing to advance the former view should not use the tragic death of Savita to advance their cause until the full facts are known. A final point must be made: Many of the references made to “Irish Catholicism” in the last few days appear to reflect a prejudicial knee jerk hatred that will use any excuse to express itself.

Were deaths in Israel and Gaza to be attributed to “Judaism” or “Islam” the result would quite rightly to invoke incitement to hatred laws against those doing so. Exploiting human suffering to peddle anti-religious prejudice is unacceptable and responsible media must have nothing to do with it.

*Marc Coleman is a broadcaster, columnist and author and is writing in a personal capacity.

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59 Comments

15 - 59 | See all comments

breandan | Nov 24, 2012, 09:13 AM EST

Oh, Thomas84, once the Christian churches are all pulled down you'll be able to see the mosques more clearly. Enjoy your freedom under that religion.

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Thomas84 | Nov 23, 2012, 03:40 AM EST

I dream of a day when the last christian dies of old age in this country .... When we can pull the churches down and replace them with libraries full of real knowledge. When we can stop basing laws that govern people on some childish ridiculas bronze age magic fairy tale story. When logic and reason over take fear and ignorance. I doubt i will live to see this day, but hopefully my kids will. The dawning of civilisation and the dispelling of the god worshiping frauds.

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eiriamach | Nov 22, 2012, 08:38 AM EST

Savita's death IS being used to advance an agenda-- not the agenda of pro-choice groups but the agenda of anti-abortion groups. According to IrishTimes.com writer Ronan McGreevy, "The Life Institute, an anti-abortion group, has said its supporters have made in the region of 56,000 phone calls to Fine Gael TDs since the summer with some getting 10 phone calls a day." This group has informed the TDs that "they are being specifically targeted in a lobbying campaign by a 'small web-based entity known as the Life Institute.'" Government officials are under threat: Is this why the Taoiseach is waiting, delaying further after a 20-year delay, and not moving forward with legislation to protect the lives of pregnant women?

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EmRyanIrish | Nov 21, 2012, 07:52 PM EST

'advance the pro abortion agenda' ?? Firstly the government work For US and WE have told them to bring in legislation in the Limited circumstances where a mothers life is at risk, they have FAILED to do so, be it because of laziness cowardice or religious influence or some other reason. They speak now of 'hasty' actions or decisions i think 20 years consideration is anything but hasty!! Women are dying, or being forced to travel for HEALTHCARE the hospitals here are perfectly capable of providing this care if either they were legally allowed or wanted to based upon personal religious/moral beliefs. Why should women be forced to continue a pregnancy they do not wish to have? If you do not agree with abortion dont have one, DO NOT make me live by Your beliefs. I resent the fact that if i Needed or wanted an abortion i may have to travel, or be unable to travel due to health/medical reasons and be stuck in an Irish hospital in pain/distress begging to be helped.

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mreinhar2001 | Nov 21, 2012, 03:22 PM EST

allisann: Do not forget that we as public co not have all the facts of the case. The Principal of Double Effect would certainly have been applicable in this case, so blaming organized religion is a personal issue rather than a fact that indicates why the poor woman died. As EamonnDublin has said on many an occasion, we as readers should wait and let the inquiry do its work.

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ciaradexy | Nov 21, 2012, 12:04 PM EST

Pinkdaylily, agreed! I work in a histopathology lab in a maternity hospital and I see women who are miscarrying left in agony because there is a foetal heart beat. Crazy.

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pinkdaylily | Nov 21, 2012, 11:58 AM EST

Men would never allow women to make health decisions for them.. so why this hypocrisy? Men do not become pregnant and rarely own up to being responsible if an unwanted pregnancy occurs, why should they control the decision.. so highminded.. and to have the likes of a male FOX idiot be part of this discussion is further insult. As an RN who has seen first hand horrible and needless maternal deaths sacrificed is outrageous. Women should have the right to control their health and contraception choice. They are healthier and better mothers for the likes of the choice.

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ciaradexy | Nov 21, 2012, 11:44 AM EST

'pro-lifers' really need to change their names to anti choicers or pro-unborn because they are anti-woman and once born, they really couldnt care less about it. 6000 kids in care and their concern is for the unborn. Hmmm priorities are just not right.

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ciaradexy | Nov 21, 2012, 11:41 AM EST

Its time to provide abortion for those who want or need them. Those who do not want or need them dont have to.

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anglo-norman | Nov 21, 2012, 11:32 AM EST

Please define your terms before you post EamonnDublin..

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iriishgirl | Nov 21, 2012, 09:39 AM EST

Alisaann - was the baby dying? Or was the mother's body just in early labor (which can sometimes be stopped) - big difference medically. How do you know the fact to not proceed with an abortion was religiouly based? Perhaps it was medically based. I am so tired of pro-choicers using this tradgedy to push their opinions. I wonder what this poor woman would have thought of thousands of innocent children possibly dying in Ireland in the future due to her tragic end, should the pro-choice movement continue to use her case erronously and without the medical facts.

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EamonnDublin | Nov 21, 2012, 05:36 AM EST

No, "anglo-norman", of course I wasn't in attendance in the Galway hospital. But you see, Tommy, it is YOU who used the word "stupidity" - that "resulted in the death of a young mother". I have asked that we wait for the result of the Inquiry, I have claimed neither "stupidity" or the lack of stupidity being the cause of the death. I do not claim to know the cause of death. You, on the other hand, imply that you know the facts. P.S. Should I call you "father"?

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anglo-norman | Nov 20, 2012, 11:11 PM EST

were you EamonnDublin? You know exactly what I mean son..

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alisaann | Nov 20, 2012, 10:23 PM EST

imo, a mother's life should be MORE important then that of a fetus....if the mother LIVES, she may be able to have MORE children....this is the PROBLEM WITH RELIGION CONTROLLING the lives of people. this woman DIED because the doctors were MORE concerned about RELIGION then the life of the mother...the baby was DYING for GOD';S SAKES. alisa

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Gearoid4 | Nov 20, 2012, 06:14 PM EST

So why do we have need for a revised or new law concerning abortion "rights" if doctors in the Rep.of Ireland are ready legally enabled to intervene to save the life of a mother, even though it may unintentionally lead to the death of the unborn child? It leaves me with the impression that the current campaign is being driven by pro-abort ideological forces who ignore the contemporary reality of the expert level of Irish obstetrics and gynaecology. What we need is for this case to be thoroughly investigated and the painful lessons learnt without opening the door to abortion-on-demand which will surely follow.

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