“Conscientious objection is for individuals, not institutions.”
Simon Harris has announced that all health service institutions across the country must provide abortion care as part of their services, shunning the idea of an opt-out service as previously considered.
Harris was responding to an article published by The Times Ireland Edition which mentioned that Catholic hospitals in Ireland would refuse to offer abortions in all circumstances, as suggested in a “code of ethics” drafted by the Irish Catholic Bishops.
The guidelines would be in direct contradiction of the historical abortion referendum vote in May, which saw Ireland legalise abortion and repeal The Eighth Amendment with a landslide win of 66.4%.
The Code of Ethical Standards for Healthcare, which has been published by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ council, also probits doctors from offering what reproduction procedures they are allowed to offer to LGBT couples or single mothers.
It also forbids gender reassignment surgeries.
The Health Minister took to Twitter to confirm that institutions – of Catholic orientation or not – must provide abortion services to women in Ireland, regardless of their beliefs.
All publicly funded health services providers in State will be expected to provide legal health services- incl. women’s health services. This should be a statement of the obvious!Conscientious objection is for individuals, not institutions. Excellent article by @ellenmcoyne 1/2
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 25, 2018
I have also set up a group chaired by Catherine Day to examine how voluntary providers interact with our health service overall. Very important work and group due to report to me shortly. 2/2
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 25, 2018
“All publicly funded health services providers in State will be expected to provide legal health services- incl. women’s health services,” the post reads.
“This should be a statement of the obvious! Conscientious objection is for individuals, not institutions.
In a second tweet, Harris mentioned how he had set up a group to ensure that this was the case.
“I have also set up a group chaired by Catherine Day to examine how voluntary providers interact with our health service overall. Very important work and group due to report to me shortly.”
Currently, there are as many as 20 Catholic-run hospitals and medical services in Ireland, including maternity hospitals such as the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street.
The guidelines which are faced by such Catholic-operated institutions state that where there is a conflict, the law should be held in first regard – except where the “fundamental and inalienable” rights of a human being are involved.
According to these guidelines, these such laws are against the “common good” and don’t “Command obedience”.
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