Sunday, October 07, 2012

Monsignor enters the abortion debate

THE Catholic Church is actively pursuing its promise to play a public role in the abortion debate as the country faces the prospect of another campaign on the controversial issue.

In a statement issued last Monday, Diocesan Administrator Monsignor Brendan Byrne attacked what he called the “misinformation” surrounding the European Court of Human Rights decision in respect of Ireland, claiming that the government was “under no obligation to legislate for abortion” as a result of that judgement.

The statement noted that the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has just launched its Choose Life campaign, involving a special prayer, a Day for Life pastoral initiative, a new website and a social media initiative.

Monsignor Byrne, who has led the Catholic Church in Kildare and Leighlin since the resignation of Bishop Jim Moriarty in 2010, following criticism in the Murphy Report on clerical child abuse, is asking the people of the diocese to “highlight the sacredness of human life over the next five weeks”.

Today, Sunday 7 October is to be the annual Choose Life Day for Life in Ireland, marking the start of a month of special prayer and an awareness campaign.

In his statement, Monsignor Byrne expressed concern about what he termed “the widespread misinformation” about the implications of the December 2010 judgement of the European Court of Human Rights, relating to the Irish legal position on abortion."

Monsignor Byrne said: “The government is under no obligation to legislate for abortion because of the ruling of the European Court. On the contrary, the government is free to respond by seeking full protection in Irish law for the right to life of the baby in the womb.”

He continued: “The Catholic Church has a moral obligation to protect human life and to support the vulnerable.” Urging all Catholics within the diocese to read the pastoral message issued, and pray the special prayer, he also referred to a number of “insightful and brave testimonies available on the diocesan website, www.kandle.ie and on the new website, www.chooselife2012ie”.

The new website was launched on Saturday 6 October.

“Our Choose Life message highlights the equal right to life of a mother and the child in her womb and the right of each to be treated as individual persons. Our positive message affirms that the child in the womb is not a potential life but a human life with potential,” said Monsignor Byrne.

He added that the special Prayer for the Child in the Womb will be said during Masses in the diocese during the month ahead, until 6 November.

“The prayer asks us to open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift and to help those who make our laws to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life from the moment of conception to natural death,” Monsignor Byrne’s statement concluded.