Today, 18 pro-life leaders in the United States penned a 2018 Letter to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, urging him to take a strong stance in favor of Ireland’s 8th Amendment protecting preborn human life in the country — an amendment which has progressively come under more attack in recent years.
The letter points out that the 8th Amendment “has protected innocent children in the womb and their mothers from the scourge of abortion” since its inception in 1983, and “has saved the lives of over 100,000 Irish children [making] Ireland one of the safest places in the world for pregnant women.” The letter goes on to say:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ireland has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world – and this is without abortion. Experienced practitioners and researchers in obstetrics and gynecology from all over the world have applauded Ireland’s 8th amendment and made it clear that women and their children are better off without abortion.
READ: If Ireland legalizes abortion, roughly 14,000 babies will die every year
The American pro-life leaders sent a warning, saying that while Roe v. Wade was meant to “only allow abortion in ‘certain circumstances’,” what it did instead was “open[] the floodgates of abortion-on-demand.” And now, more than 55 million children are dead. The leaders added, “we [now] struggle to pass any kind of rollbacks on abortion, even something as common sense as a 20-week ban on abortion – despite having the support of at least 76 percent of Americans according to a recent Marist poll.”
The letter from pro-life leaders continues:
… Ireland… is a beacon of hope for the entire world. Ireland has become one of the leaders in demonstrating life-affirming laws and medical treatment. This is something to be protected and hailed – not something to be repealed. The 8th amendment should be applauded not repealed. You have the power to continue Ireland’s excellence in life-affirming laws and healthcare.
Science clearly shows that life begins at conception and with modern medical advances unborn children are able to survive outside of the womb at earlier and earlier stages of development. With modern technology, we are able to see clearly the fingers, toes, heartbeat, brainwaves, all of the facets of a living, breathing human being – and this is all present before 12 weeks.
We stand alongside so many other Irish and Irish-Americans — 34 million Americans claim Irish ancestry – as we ask you to please do the right thing and uphold the rights and dignity of every life, including those of the unborn, in Ireland. …
As Catholic News Agency reports, earlier this week on March 12, approximately 100,000 Irish citizens took to the streets in support of the 8th Amendment protecting life in the womb. CNA notes:
The Eighth Amendment to the Republic of Ireland’s constitution, approved by 67 percent of voters in 1983, recognizes the right to life of mother and unborn child equally.
A referendum to replace that language is planned for late May. The Irish government’s replacement language reads: “Provision may be made by law for the regulation of termination of pregnancies.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, has promised legislation to allow unrestricted abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy if voters approve repeal.
The letter to the Prime Minister was signed by Lila Rose, President and Founder of Live Action, along with pro-life leaders Jeanne Mancini of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, Kristin Hawkins of Students for Life of America, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, Honorable Marilyn Musgrave of the Susan B. Anthony List, Chuck Donovan of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, Marie S. Smith of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI), Penny Young Nance of Concerned Women for America, Catherine Glenn Foster of Americans United for Life, Bob Lalonde of Priests for Life, David N. O’Steen of National Right to Life, Jor-El Godsey of Heartbeat International, Paul Coleman of ADF International, Alveda King of Civil Rights for the Unborn, Janet Morana of Silent No More Awareness Campaign, Bryan Kemper of Stand True, and Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life.
