Northern Ireland: bishops decry court decision allowing abortion if child cannot survive outside womb
December 01, 2015
The Catholic bishops of Northern Ireland have reacted strongly against a judge’s decision that called for legal abortion in cases when the unborn child cannot survive outside the womb.
Justice Mark Horner, upholding a decision by the Human Rights Commission of Northern Ireland, said that in such cases “there is no life to protect.” Since the unborn child is “doomed,” he said, a legal ban on abortion constitutes “a gross interference with [the mother’s] personal autonomy.”
The Catholic bishops of Northern Ireland called the decision “profoundly disquieting.” They said:
Having met with many parents whose unborn child with a life-limiting condition has lived for hours, days, weeks, and even years bringing immense happiness, we are profoundly shocked and disturbed at the Judges words that such children are ‘doomed.’”
The decision from the Belfast High Court is likely to be appealed.
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