Where is our Republic of Conscience?

LAST year I listened to a radio programme called The Republic of Conscience written by Seamus Heaney and narrated by an English woman who seemed to have a deep belief in this republic too.

The programme was met by a sort of reverence and deep acclaim.

As the Civil Partnership Bill is about to make conscientious objection illegal, I would like to ask Mr Heaney this question – has this Republic been overrun and how did it happen without either comment or battle?