The importance of babies and their tombstones

THERE is justified painful outcry at the moment in relation to the Tuam babies revelation. I sincerely hope that this outpouring will serve as part of the healing process for those impacted and the perpetrators of this tragedy.

Having lost a child myself in infancy I know the pain that is felt through bereavement and the heartache that is part of the suffering. I also know of the importance of a gravestone to visit and the importance of the sanctity of life. I cannot condone any aspect of the circumstances that led to people being forced by their families voluntarily to live in that facility in Tuam and of course I cannot condone the circumstances in which those poor people were buried.

What I fail however to understand is how our government officials and media, in particular, are so disturbed by this event. Based on recent interviews and the media furore one would think that our governors and media actually care about the deaths of babies and also the respectful resting of their bodies after death. One would think that they care about the families that have been left in grief.

We have at the moment a very forceful push from government and media to ensure that something like ‘British style’ abortion legislation is introduced to our Isle. What of the innocent babies that are destroyed in the process? What of the little human remains that are sent to incinerators or worse? What of the parents left grieving these babies without a grave or a tombstone? Surely there has been enough death in our country, without legalising it. Sincerely, James Enright, Co. Clare.