The abortion debate

Can anyone explain why the management of Sligo County Council did not seek approval for the filling of the vacant library jobs at the beginning of the year? Why did they wait until well after the libraries were forced to close before doing so? While discussing Sligo Libraries, the attempt by Fine Gael Councillors to increase the local Property Tax by 15% by directly linking it to the library staffing issue was disgraceful. Madam Editor, Are all voices really equal in the abortion debate? When did religion become a dirty word? All of us, pro- life or pro- choice come to our position as a result of our value or belief system. Yes, many pro- life people have come to their viewpoint on abortion partially based on their faith. However, does this somehow make their position less valid or relevant? How is this any different than someone who is pro- choice basing their stance on their own beliefs or value systems. Does not our belief system, faith, or values form an essential role in a person’s decision making process; whether it is a decision made in the workplace, in relationships, rearing children, our treatment of the environment and our views and relationship with society in general. I think most would agree that this is the case regardless of a person’s religion or lack of. What are we really saying here, that a secular viewpoint is the only acceptable one? Is this the face of democracy now in Ireland? More and more in the debate regarding repealing the 8th amendment, we are seeing those campaigning to repeal, dismissing the other argument with the “religion label”, as a legitimate reason to dismiss all pro- life reasoning, and thereby render the points mute. What a lazy yet increasingly common tactic. Those in the prolife movement come from all walks of life, faith and none. And surely during this debate, all voices should be heard. At what point did the label of “faith” or “religion” become a tool to totally dismiss a prolife viewpoint? Surely we can do better than this as the debate progresses? Or perhaps this is a ploy to avoid debating and exploring the real issues and concerns that those who are pro- life have regarding removing the 8th amendment from our constitution. We only have to look at last week for a perfect example of intolerance for those of faith speaking out on the issue. Last weekend, the Catholic Primate of Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin caused a stir when he spoke on the abortion issue. While celebrities that support repeal of the 8th, are lauded and admired and get front page headlines with no critique; when the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland speaks out, there is out cry. Politicians, campaigners and journalists, clambering to criticise the Archbishop and to point out that he is only one voice, or in fact completely irrelevant in the debate. Surely we must recognise that he is doing his job, leading his flock, outlining the church’s teachings on the matter. 84% of the country still identifies themselves as Catholics, therefore surely the Archbishops comments carry some weight and relevance. Perhaps this is in fact the problem, no high profile prolife voices please, and certainly none that could possible carry any influence. It would seem that only pro- choice celebrities’ views count. Meanwhile the Archbishop and the church can baptize, marry and bury us, but on all else remain silent! Kind Regards