'Not a something, a someone' - Archbishop speaks out as Seanad debates abortion safe zones bill

An Irish archbishop has described life in the womb as "a someone" rather than "a something". 

Archbishop Eamon Martin made the comments in a statement today (December 13) ahead of Seanad Éireann's debate on the second stage of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill. 

According to the Law Society of Ireland, this legislation will create 100 metre zones from an entrance or exit to a premises where obstetricians, gynaecologists, and general practitioners provide termination services. 

Certain conduct within the zones aimed at impeding access or influencing decisions in relation to pregnancy termination services will be prohibited. 

The Safe Access Zones Bill recently passed all stages in the Dáil and is now being considered by the Seanad. 

In his statement, Archbishop Martin said, "The imposition of so-called “safe” abortion zones will further silence the voice of the innocent unborn. Given that the law already prevents harassment and intimidation, I believe the new legislation represents a disproportionate response with potentially wide implications for freedom of religion and speech. 

"The discussions about abortion in recent years have made us much more aware of the pressures that women can be under during pregnancy and how so many can feel isolated, neglected and alone in their distress.

"Tragic, and sometimes desperate, situations like these will not go away just because abortion centres are ‘sealed off’ from peaceful vigils."

He continued: "Over the years many mothers in crisis have felt supported – sometimes at the very last minute – by a sensitive offer of practical help to find a way out of their crisis other than by ending the life of their unborn baby.

"It is perfectly reasonable to want to reach out in compassion to help vulnerable women and to be free to protect the life and well-being of both a mother and her unborn child. 

"Harassment laws are already in place to prevent intimidation. The introduction of these zones increases fears that freedom of religion, belief, expression and association are being undermined and open to attack." 

According to Archbishop Martin, the introduction of "punitive sanctions" undermines the common good and "shuts down those who wish to peacefully and prayerfully offer support and alternative options". 

He stated, "What next? How long before it is deemed unlawful to openly express in Ireland the reasonable opinion that there are two lives in every pregnancy worth protecting – the life of a mother and the life of her unborn child?

"Will those who believe that the ending of unborn life is of the utmost moral significance, and who have sincerely held beliefs that every human life is sacred from the first moment of conception, be told that they are not free to express these beliefs anywhere in a public forum?"

According to the archbishop, it has "never been more important" to witness the dignity of every human life, particularly in a world where there is so much violence, destruction and unnecessary death. 

He concluded: "The right to life is not conferred by any human law; rather, it is God’s most precious gift to us. The innocent life in the womb is not a “something”; it is a “someone.” Science confirms that it is, in reality, a little girl or boy at a very early stage in her or his life. 

"To hold this truth, and to express it openly, is not something to be ashamed of, or to be excluded from public discourse, censored from newspaper columns, shut down in debates, or kept out via ‘safe access zones’!  It is something we should be able to shout from the rooftops: All human life is sacred and precious! Choose life!"