Bishops want changes for pregnancy leaflet

Catholic bishops have ordered the pregnancy counselling service, CURA, to stop offering women a leaflet which names other Irish agencies prepared to give information on foreign abortions.

The Irish Bishops’ Conference requested the National Executive Committee of CURA stop the policy of distributing the leaflet and to raise its concerns with the state-sponsored Crisis Pregnancy Agency, which published it.

A number of CURA volunteers have complained about the practise of handing out the ‘Positive Options’ leaflet.

The bishops rejected the suggestion that CURA, which was set up by the Catholic Church in 1977, gave the leaflet in order to facilitate abortion and said parts of the document would have to be changed if it were to be made acceptable.

“The difficulties at CURA have arisen because of the strong commitment on the part of all concerned to protect the life of the unborn and to care for the mother,” a statement from the bishops said.

“The experience of recent years has shown the danger that the strength of that commitment can sometimes lead to unfair questioning of the sincerity of those with whom one disagrees as to the best methods of achieving this end.

“The bishops are confident that CURA can demonstrate that this need not be so.”

The bishops said they were conscious of the pain this controversy has brought to CURA and asked all involved to seek ways of achieving healing and reconciliation founded on the pro-life commitment which they all share.

“The bishops are convinced that this would also be greatly in the interests of the wonderful service given by CURA for which the entire Church in Ireland is so greatly in their debt,” the statement said.

“Since its establishment by the Irish Bishops, almost 30 years ago, CURA has provided support and care for women who were pregnant in difficult circumstances, and for their unborn babies.

“CURA volunteers have shown generous commitment to the protection of life and to the needs of the women they serve.

“We, the Bishops of Ireland, pay tribute to them and thank them in the name of the Church in Ireland.”