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The Other View |
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Issue No.3 Winter 2000 Is Abortion Always Wrong? By Dawn Purvis There are groups within Northern Ireland who would argue that abortion is always wrong. There are others who would argue that it is only wrong in certain circumstances and others still who say it is a matter of choice for the woman concerned. Who determines whether abortion is right or wrong and do they have the authority to make that judgement? The majority of Northern Ireland’s politicians have consistently voiced their opposition to women having any choice in the matter. It could be argued that this is because of the influence that churches in Northern Ireland have over our politicians.
Gynaecologists In a survey conducted by C. Francome in 1992, Northern Ireland’s gynaecologists were asked to record their views and practice on abortion. There were conflicting positions taken by a few and just under half had conscientious objection but the overall majority said they would carry out abortions – a clear indication, in my opinion, that gynaecologists do not think that abortion is always wrong. GP’s in Northern Ireland are of a similar position. When surveyed in 1994, 70% of the respondents said "the decision as to whether or not to continue a pregnancy should be left to the woman in consultation with her doctor". The British Medical Association has expressed its support for the retention and extensions of the 1967 Abortion Act. Public attitudes in Northern Ireland have changed considerably over the last number of years with recorded increases in the level of support for abortion at the request of the woman i.e. 25% in 1992 to 30% in 1994. On all grounds, Protestants are more likely to support legal abortions than Catholics e.g. in cases of severe handicap, 74% of Protestants as against 39% of Catholics. On the grounds of sexual assault or the physical mental health of the woman, a majority of Catholics supported each case.
Religious Opinions The attitudes of Protestants in the surveys, closely resembles the view of the main Protestant churches, i.e. that abortion can be justified in cases where there is a threat to the mother’s life or well-being or in cases of rape or incest. Catholic attitudes vary somewhat from their churches view. The Catholic Church believes abortion to be morally wrong in every case although this was not the view until the late 19th Century. Before that, a female child could be aborted before the ‘quickening’ (i.e. feeling movement) but not a male child. The ‘quickening’ was regarded as the moment of ‘ensoulment’ and occurred on the 48th day for the male child and the 80th day for the female child. (C Coppens, Moral Principals and Medical Practice) This view changed when the church ruled, "the embryonic child has a human soul, and therefore is a man from the time of its conception". (Tribunal of the Holy Office, 1889). No exceptions exist in the Catholic Churches view that abortion is wrong even in cases where the mother’s life is at risk.
The Tribunal of the Holy Office indicated in March 1902 "that no action is lawful which directly destroys foetal life" even if the mother is in "immediate danger of death". (C. Coppens). Sally McMulkin concluded in her analysis of the 1989 Northern Ireland Social Attitudes Survey "that religious affiliation is a large influence in determining attitudes to abortion". (1993, P38). This is certainly reflected in the various surveys conducted over recent years in Northern Ireland.
The Views of Women In May 1980 the ‘Northern Ireland Abortion Campaign’ was set up after the death of a woman as a direct result of a back street abortion. Campaigners set about trying to gain the extension of the 1967 Act to Northern Ireland. They did not succeed in this but the campaign did raise the issue in the public debate. Since the 1990’s another group has formed to campaign not only for legislation but also to raise the issue for debate; this group is called ‘Alliance for Choice’. To date they have succeeded in highlighting the issue but there has been no proper, informed debate. A measure of their success so far has been the formation of anti-abortion groups such as ‘Precious Life’ based in Ballymena, Northern Irelands ‘Bible belt’ (so named for the concentration of deeply religious people). This group uses similar ‘shock’ tactics to promote their campaign as have been used by various American extremists. They recently circulated videotape entitled "The Truth about Abortion". In it, American anti-abortion campaigners talk and show shocking scenes of abortion practice. The United States permits abortion up to a full term pregnancy 1.4. 40 weeks. The scenes shown in the video were of ‘late’ abortions. An abortion in the UK is only permitted up to and including the 22nd week of pregnancy.
There is no doubt that groups like Precious Life are engaged in a propaganda war aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people of Northern Ireland, using whatever means necessary. Their recent advertising campaign caused a storm of protests from pro-choice groups and family planning professionals who accused Precious Life of "encouraging back street abortions". (Sunday World, 21 March 1999). Those opposed to the tactics employed by Precious Life, called for an informed debate on the issue to be conducted in a calm and rational environment.
Abortion is a Reality Whatever the views of the churches, medics, pro or anti groups, abortion practice is a reality. As Audrey Simpson of the Family Planning Association pointed out, "This is a service that women will always access". Whilst the government holds the authority in determining whether abortion is right or wrong in legal terms, the influence of the churches can still be a deciding factor for many women. Of the 2000 women from Northern Ireland who travel to England every year for an abortion, whether people tell them it is wrong or not, it is obviously right for them. I am sure for every woman who chooses to terminate a pregnancy; there are many who choose not to. Without properly collated statistics it is impossible to tell. What is important, at the end of it all, churches, politicians, public opinion aside, a woman chooses whether abortion is right or wrong for herself.
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