I note that the Irish Times has finally admitted what many
pro-lifers have known for some time they will not use the term ‘pro-life,’
except when they are actually quoting someone who has used the expression,
instead they will use the description ‘anti abortion’. Clearly the idea of
accepting the term at face value sticks in their pluralistic craw.
Their attitude tells us quite a lot about the mentality
behind their refusal to accept the term. First there is a denial that the act
of abortion, takes a life, that it actually kills a baby, another human being.
We have been told many times that it simply a ‘bunch of cells’ or that it is
only potential life rather than human life with potential.
Then there is an ideology, the idea that abortion is a
legitimate choice expressed as the so-called ‘right to choose’. We all have
choices, life is full of choices and we can choose life or death. Can someone
who commits murder because that is his or her choice be seen as making a
legitimate choice? Of course not and yet the pretence that, either there is no
human life present or that there is a right to choose to terminate a life
simply because it is inconvenient, is no different.
Those who are pro-abortion like to hide behind the
expression pro-choice and become very agitated when they are described as being
pro-abortion.
We are pro-life because we wish to protect all life, both
the life of an unborn baby and the right to life of a mother and we say
categorically that you should not choose to end either life. Rather each life
must be recognized as being valuable, having dignity and the right to live, the
right to survive.
We are often reminded of hard cases such as pregnancy
following rape. In such a case the rapist should face the full rigour of the
law but there are two victims and each must be cared for and protected. The
Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes that “The child by reason of
his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care,
including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth”.
