Bishop says term ‘fatal foetal abnormality’ is misleading

The Bishop of Cork and Ross has claimed the word ‘fatal’ in fatal foetal abnormalities is “misleading” because doctors cannot predict with certainty the lifespan of babies before they are born.

Bishop John Buckley said there will likely be pressure to repeal the Eighth Amendment after the election.

“In the debate, there will be frequent references to ‘fatal foetal abnormalities’,” he said. “In fact the word ‘fatal’ is misleading since there is no medical evidence, none whatsoever, where a doctor can predict, with certainty, the lifespan of babies before they are born. Parents often say the time they have with their baby, however short, is very precious.”