Where is the defence of the unborn now?

THE comments of Caroline Spillane of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (Irish Examiner letters, June 18) raise serious questions about the Government’s commitment to defend the right to life of the unborn.

She mentions that the CPA encourages the supply of, “above all, non-judgemental service of advice and practical support to women when a crisis pregnancy occurs”.

This “non-judgemental” position is based on the judgement that unborn children do not have a right to life. From this perspective, the woman’s decision to end the life of her unborn child has no more moral implications than the removal of an ingrowing toenail.

Yet, the constitution recognises the right to life of the unborn, which should put the “non-judgmental” position at variance with that of the state.

The jargon used in the government-funded CPA campaigns is almost identical to that used by those groups who have consistently opposed any constitutional protection of the unborn. This makes the CPA mandate to reduce abortion levels seem more than a little incongruous.

In the circumstances, it seems reasonable to ask whether any claimed desire by the Government or the CPA to reduce such numbers is related more to the inconvenience caused to women having to travel abroad than out of respect for the natural and constitutional right to life of the unborn.

Rory O’Donovan

111 Sundays Well Road

Cork