Following a very successful meeting in Knock Ireland United
for Life has issued a press release setting out the importance of the retention
of Sections 58and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
IRELAND's 1861 ACT IS A HUMAN LIFE LAW
The crime of
‘Abortion’ is contained in the Offences Against The Person Act 1861
At a February 9th 2013 meeting in Knock, 'Ireland United For
Life' groups united in their opposition to the decriminalising of abortion, and
to the writing of any legislation that would supersede or result in the
abandoning of sections 58 and 59 of the1861Offences against thePersonAct. All groups
agreed to sign a Pro Life Declaration of Ireland affirming their unity on this
vital matter.
Bishop Seamus Hegarty, spiritual director of 'Ireland United
For Life', began the meeting with an opening prayer in which he consecrated
Ireland and all pro-life groups to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He welcomed
those in attendance, noting that all pro-life groups had been invited and that
it was of the greatest importance to highlight the protection afforded to the
unborn child and its mother by the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act and
that this protection extended throughout the island of Ireland, both North and
South.
Pope Benedict XVI’s recent statement "noted with dismay
that, in various countries, even those of the Christian tradition, efforts are
being made to introduce or expand legislation which decriminalises
abortion". The four Catholic Archbishops of Ireland have stated that:
"The dignity of the human person and the common good of humanity depend on
our respect for the right to life of every person from the moment of conception
to natural death. The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights. It
is the very basis for every other right we enjoy as persons.”
Cardinal Burke’s recent statement warned “that abandoning
our Pro Life position and decriminalising abortion will develop a culture
against life. Therefore, to decriminalise abortion is a contradiction of the
most fundamental principles of the legal system, the principle that human life
is to be safeguarded and defended at all times. Once abortion is decriminalised
it becomes an ever expanding reality in society and it generates a whole culture
of death.”
Monday 11th February, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes,
is when Our Lady first stated "I am the Immaculate Conception".
At Saturday’s meeting a statement on the effect of losing
the 1861 Offences against the Person Act, s. 58 and s. 59, was presented from
Johanna Higgins LLB, of the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland, Inner Temple,
London and Kings Inns Dublin, Barrister who said that “If the 1861 Act were to
be repealed in the Republic of Ireland it would be a disastrous matter for the
Unborn Child and for the country [Ireland] North and South. The 1861 Act has
prevented the mutilation of Irish babies for over 150 years. This protection
has resisted the greatest attacks of the pro-abortion movement through the
worst years of a culture of murder, which has claimed the lives or untold
millions of children worldwide. There is no exception to the Illegal abortion offence
contained in the Act, notwithstanding what some may wish. It is a serious crime
to take the life of an Unborn Child in Ireland, whatever the circumstances, and
if we want to protect the Unborn Children of the future, we must protect the
1861 Act which protects the Unborn.”
Mrs. M. Morgan-Dupré
Secretary: Ireland United For Life
