“The rights and dignity of the unborn children who have been relegated – culturally, politically and legally – to the realm of the worthless and sub human”
“In an inexplicable medical, scientific and cultural contradiction, so many of our local politicians seem willing to disregard the rights of our children in the earliest stages of their development before birth while at the same time properly and stridently proclaim their commitment defending the rights of animals, plants, trees and rivers.
In a similar bizarre twist of logic many who stridently proclaim their commitment to equality formally, are at the same time quite content to support legislation that would discriminate agaies nst children in the womb even directly targeting those with disabilities and denying them the very right to be born”.
“Rather than using medically destructive interventions to take away life, it is possible to build a living and supportive society around every child in the womb, including those diagnosed with a disibility”.
PAT’S REACTION
My first reaction is to ask if the Roman Catholic Bishops have and credibility left in the moral sphere after decades of the outpouring of evidence that the RCC, its hierarchy and clergy are a real and dangerous axis of evil (obviously with some exceptions).
Can evil organisations and people lecture the public on public morality?
DOES THE RCC BISHOP’S STATEMENT REPRESENT MY VIEWS?
Yes, to the extent that I am primarily anti abortion.
But I would make exceptions in the cases of rape and the real threat to the life of the mother.
I also see the disability issue as a grey area.
In my own family the girls are prone to a serious brain disease called Tuberose Sclerosis and the boys can be carriers.
Hence the death of five sisters at birth and death of my youngest sibling in her 30s.
Would God want or expect a couple to give birth to 6 seriously disabled babies.
How would God feel about depriving such children of years of pain and distress?
I cannot fully answer these questions yet and maybe never will – but I think making such decisions a black and white issue does not help?
BANNING THE RCC BISHOP’S ADD
The RCC is not an illegal or proscribed organisation and their statement would be supported by many.
I do not think the Belfast Telegraph should deprive them of free speech even though many of us have little or no time for them.
They are not, on this occasion, espousing hatred or anything criminal or offensive.
I think the Belfast Telegraph should have published their add uncensored.
And I do wish the Belfast Telegraph was more investigative on RCC matters.
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 