Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Brady claims legislation a 'Trojan horse' for new permissive regime

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRw3c3OgvAtGVa9D5azo4AZs87MM0CJk6QJH--XdTuzsMyFo6Z4xAIRELAND's most senior Catholic prelate has claimed that the abortion legislation is a 'Trojan horse' which heralds a much more liberal and aggressive abortion regime.

Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Sean Brady said the debate represented "a defining moment" with fundamental ethical concerns.

Many senior bishops and Catholic clergymen have sought to intensify pressure on TDs ahead of a crucial vote on the bill.

Bishop John Buckley, the Bishop of Cork and Ross, said the bill "sacrifices the innocent life of another human being to another's threat of self-destruction . . . this fails any test of justice".

Dr Brady called on the Government to publish its advice from the Attorney General on the "potential constitutional and legal conflicts" arising from the bill.

He said the bill contains a number of serious constitutional and legal conflicts which require immediate clarification.

"This bill will provide the widest possible legal justification for deliberately and intentionally destroying the life of the unborn child, with no time limits and no mechanism for ensuring that the right to life of the unborn is adequately vindicated as required by Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution," he said.

"In practice, the right to life of the unborn child will no longer be treated as equal".

Dr Brady again reiterated the position that abortion is not an appropriate treatment for expectant mothers with suicidal feelings.