Decisions on abortion are not centred on disability

SIR, Most people don’t operate with a hierarchy of human value, and especially not one that is based on physical or intellectual abilities. It seems as if this is something that is difficult for the Catholic church to fathom. Perhaps this is the legacy of having for so long run a system which routinely put disabled babies in what has been described as a “reject” pile, and consistently emphasised the good health of those they put up for at worst illegal or at best coerced adoptions. Perhaps it is also the remains of this world view that made a prominent member of the ‘no’ campaign say “I’m sorry” to a mother who told him her child had Down Syndrome.

Thankfully most people don’t think like this. And either way, abortion on grounds of disability will not be allowed in the proposed legislation. But even if it had been, anyone who really thinks about it would surely realise that no expectant mother receives news about their baby’s condition and callously just decides that she does not want this one, then. As if it doesn’t meet her expectations. How far removed from reality, or entrenched in your own peculiar set of values, do you need to be to believe that that’s how it works?

Expectant parents are far more likely to look at what is ahead of them and decide whether they – because it will be them, nobody else – feel that they have the capability to fulfil their role as a parent and look after this child and their needs. They will think of their other children, if they have any. They will think of who will look after their child when they themselves are gone. They will, unfortunately, also have to think of their financial situation. And when they make their decision, whatever it is, it will not be based on notions that disabilities are anything shameful, or simply an inconvenience.

If Pope Francis, with his statements about eugenics and references to the Nazi era, was genuinely looking to address these types of attitudes, he might be better off looking closer to home rather than demonising parents who might be making the most difficult decision of their lives.

Sincerely, Ingrid Seim, Frankfield, Cork.