Bishop urges Belfast City Council to reconsider abortion illumination

Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, former Bishop of Raphoe and now Bishop of Down and Connor, has written to all 60 members of Belfast City Council, including the Lord Mayor, asking them to reconsider plans to illuminate Belfast City Hall for International Safe Abortion Day on Monday, 28 September.

In his letter, Bishop McGuckian described the proposed lighting as a “divisive and insensitive expression of ‘unqualified support for abortion’” and said it would upset citizens of “all religious backgrounds and none”. He questioned the use of the term “safe” in relation to abortion, arguing that no medical intervention is without risk and that abortion results in the direct ending of an unborn child’s life.

The bishop called for greater support for women experiencing crisis pregnancies while also protecting unborn children, urging the council to consider a response that “protects, supports and cares for both mother and child, equally and over the long term”. He offered to meet councillors and their party colleagues to discuss the matter.

Bishop McGuckian said his intervention comes ahead of a wider public contribution on abortion and other issues before the forthcoming Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Source: Donegal Daily.