Catholic teaching allows us apply conscience to decisions on abortion

A Chara, The Catholic Church officially teaches that the conscience of the individual is supreme. This means that, following careful reflection, if a Catholic is conflicted between their own moral conscience and the teachings of the Catholic hierarchy, the right thing to do is to follow your conscience.

So, if a woman believes, upon deep reflection, that it would be morally wrong to bring a baby into poverty, or an abusive household, or to live a very short life in pain or for some other reason, then following her conscience is the right thing to do.

Similarly, if I believe it’s morally wrong to force a woman to continue a pregnancy against her will because of my beliefs that the Catholic hierarchical teachings have no place in women’s reproductive healthcare, then I must follow my conscience and vote yes for repeal of the Eighth Amendment.

So, to all Catholics out there that may be conflicted between their faith and their conscience, please allow yourself to truly reflect on this issue. Get informed, hear the facts, not the scaremongering. Read some real stories of how the Eighth has affected women. Talk to the women you know and love that are of reproductive age. Think of the women of the future. And then follow your conscience.

Le meas,

Cáit Ní Charthaigh, Carrig Uí Leighin, Co. Corcaigh.