Bishop Kevin Doran says Christians must make protection of unborn children an election issue

Bishop Kevin Doran of the Diocese of Elphin, in his homily delivered on World Peace Day, January 1st., made reference throughout the homily to Ireland's upcoming general election and it was particularly heartening to read the part of his statement that refers to protection of unborn babies.

We are in complete agreement with Bishop Kevin when he says that committed Christians must make this an election issue and that candidates must be questioned politely but firmly, not just on their future intentions but on their past record.

The extract from Bishop Kevin's homily is set out below and the full text of his statement can be found on this link

There has been a lot of political posturing about repealing the eighth amendment, which is the only remaining protection unborn children have in our legal system. That protection has already been significantly eroded in recent years. I believe that committed Christians must make this an election issue and that candidates must be questioned politely but firmly, not just on their future intentions but on their past record. These are, after all, your children and your grand-children.

Renua general election manifesto

Whilst the date of the upcoming general election has not yet been set, Renua, the new political party is first out of the traps in announcing its manifesto. See RTE report

Pro-lifers had great hopes of this party as it was set up by Lucinda Creighton who stood by her convictions and voted against the pro-abortion, Protection of Life in Pregnancy, legislation at the high personal cost of ejection from the Fine Gael parliamentary party and loss of her ministerial post prior to setting up the new party

There was considerable dismay in pro-life and pro-family circles however at Ms. Creighton’s statement in February 2015 prior to the same sex marriage referendum that she was a supporter of the marriage equality referendum and she intended to vote in favour of it.

Ms Creighton in presenting the Renua manifesto at a press conference claimed no party would have a clear-cut majority after the election and the question voters had to ask was "who would be their watchdog in government?".  

The new manifesto concentrates on tax reform and other political issues but  the meeting was told By Ms. Creighton that that the party would not be taking a view on the question of liberalising abortion legislation and that there were other social issues facing the electorate.

Clearly there are different opinions in the new party on the pro-life issue.

On a show of hands 14 of the eighteen party members indicated they opposed removal of the 8^th amendment (the pro-life amendment) from the constitution.

The good news is that 14 out of the 18  Renua party members standing for election appear to be pro-life.