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Reduce to Grow ... About life and Catholic schools

In the recent referendum, I voted to keep the 8th Amendment, which protected the lives of both mother and unborn child in pregnancy. (See my blog post before the vote here and after the vote here .) Speaking as a Catholic, I noted that many who profess to be Catholic seemed to have voted ‘Yes’ to repeal the 8th and allow for legislation to come in for abortion. Such a decision is incompatible with Catholic faith and I feel many who profess to be Catholic don’t really understand what it really means. I now feel there is a strengthening of the core of believers underway; even if such a strengthening means an actual reduction in size. I work in a kitchen. The image I got was of a sauce being reduced. As the fire burned under the pan, all the dilution was being evaporated away as the sauce itself became smaller in size, but also stronger and more potent, able to really be what it was supposed to be. Such a flavoursome ‘sauce’ may then attract and draw others with its authenticity, gro...
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After the Vote...an epilogue

See the prequel to this post about the vote on the 8th Amendment of the Irish Constitution here . Ireland has voted to remove the 8th Amendment, which protected the lives of both the mother and unborn child in pregnancy. The planned legislation will allow abortion for any reason up to twelve weeks (Head 7 in link 1 below); for undefined risk to mental health of mother up to viability (around the sixth month) (Head 4 in same link); and up to birth if this risk is deemed immediate, as there is no gestational limit mentioned in this case (Head 5 in same link). Risk to mental health of mother accounts for around 97% of all abortions for residents of England and Wales, a figure of around 180000 in one year (Sec. 2.15 and 2.16 in link 2 below) That’s nearly 500 a day, or one abortion every three minutes or so, and that’s only England and Wales. This type of abortion regime is now set to be available in Ireland. That is the reality of this ‘Yes’ vote. I know some people probably voted bec...
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"Hello, Baby!" - A Short Story

Rachel stood by the bathroom sink, her hands shaking. Her eyes were fixed upon a small, square window on a little stick-like object in her hand. Specifically, Rachel’s eyes were fixed upon a very definite cross that had just appeared there. It meant only one thing: Pregnant! For more minutes than she could remember, Rachel stood there, hopelessly trying to find ways to deny the reality that was beginning to assert itself to her like an unstoppable tide. Instantly, her life changed. Her carefree future evaporated. A weight settled upon her heart and she reached out and turned on the shower. Soon, a hot stream of water was rushing past her ears. Maybe if she stayed in there long enough, it would all go away! Peter woke to the usual sound of his phone alarm blaring out his favourite dance track. He waited a few moments before jumping out of bed and stretched his arms and legs. The college student switched on his music player, plugged in some earphones and began his morning workout on th...
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The 8th Amendment. Before You Vote...

The 8th amendment acknowledges the right to life of the unborn, with a guarantee to legally respect, vindicate and defend that right, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother. In the upcoming referendum we will be asked if we want this protection to be removed from the unborn, with an empowerment of TDs and senators to freely legislate for abortions. Some things to think about before voting… Choice When it comes to abortion, a right to choose is often raised. We make choices every day, some trivial, some more important – but choices are not necessarily rights. That is why we have laws. We could choose to steal a car or to punch someone at random, but there are rights in place that supersede these choices – in these instances, the other person’s right to not be punched or have their car stolen. The right to not be directly killed while growing in the womb is a very basic human right. The term ‘Trust women’ seems to have been decided upon by some who want to repeal the...
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