‘Pregnant girls: do not marry in haste’

October 1984

Single girls who become pregnant should not rush into getting married, but should wait until after the baby is born before making up their minds. In the meantime, they should be given all the support and respect they need.

In expressing this view at Masses in Wexford last Sunday, Fr. Jack McCabe, Adm., pointed out that when girls are pregnant, they understandably are less capable of making the right decision.

Fr. McCabe felt strongly that the State and Church should agree to make it more difficult for people to get married, which is probably the most important undertaking of their lives. At present, he said, it is harder to get a driving licence than to get married.

‘I would see nothing wrong with some sort of law requiring people to give six months’ notice before getting married,’ he said, adding that if it was harder to get married in the first place, there would be fewer marriage breakdowns. with, compared with seventy on previous days.

Under the controversial legislation - designed to clear a long waiting list for driving tests - holders of a second provisional licence up to October 11th are entitled to claim a full licence.

The rule which states that provisional licence holders msut be accompanied by an experienced driver while driving is also gone. Now it is sufficient for any learner driver to just display L plates.