HIGH-LEVEL MEETING : The Government said the process
to legislate for limited abortion remained unchanged, notwithstanding
detailed objections to the decision outlined by Catholic bishops during a
three-hour meeting in Government Buildings last Friday.
The
decision to introduce legislation and guidelines for abortion in
restricted circumstances dominated the meeting. Taoiseach Enda Kenny led
the Government delegation which also included three senior Ministers,
while the four bishops who attended were led by the primate, Cardinal
Seán Brady.
After the meeting Cardinal Brady said the Government
had clearly stated its position that it had to remedy a situation that
obtained for 20 years (since the X case in 1992).
Food for thought
“We kept insisting on our point of view and I hope we gave them food for thought,” he said.
In
separate briefings afterwards, the church representatives described the
meeting as “respectful and restrained”, while the Taoiseach’s spokesman
said it had been “cordial, comprehensive and valuable”.
The
meeting was scheduled before the controversy over the legislation arose
and is part of a structured series of dialogues with all faith groups.
Bishop Colm O’Reilly of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise took the lead in outlining the church’s position on abortion.
Unchangeable
“We
spelled out our position, which is unchanged and unchangeable really
because of the fundamental problem we have with taking an innocent human
life in any circumstances.”
He said the restrained nature of the
meeting was helpful in creating an environment in which the members of
the hierarchy could speak freely.
Bishop of Cork and Ross John
Buckley said the delegation had enunciated very clearly the teaching of
the church on abortion.
“I asked whether there was any other situation
where it was suggested that the ending of the life of an innocent person
was a solution to a problem,” he said.
The response he had got from the
Ministers was “non-committal”.
Bishop Brendan Kelly of Achonry
was the fourth member of the church delegation, while on the Government
side the three senior Ministers who attended were Minister for Health
James Reilly; Minster for Children Frances Fitzgerald; and Minister for
Education Ruairí Quinn.