The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has urged as many people as possible to respond to the Government’s consultation on abortion before it closes next week.
The Rt Rev Dr William Henry asked the public to speak out against the proposed new legal framework saying it ‘simply goes too far’.
Northern Ireland’s protections for the unborn were removed on 22 October following a vote at Westminster. New laws will be introduced by the end of March 2020.
Value
The Government proposes to allow unrestricted abortion up to 12 or 14 weeks. Abortion would also be permissible for social reasons up to 22 or 24 weeks.
Rev Dr Henry highlighted that the current proposals go “far beyond the actual legal requirements placed on the secretary of state”.
You don’t need to be a Christian to believe that all people are precious and life is special.
He said: “You don’t need to be a Christian to believe that all people are precious and life is special.
“But as a Christian, I also believe that our dignity, value and worth do not lie in the quality, or length of our time here on earth.”
Image of God
“They are based instead on our unique identity as being made in, and reflecting, the image of God.”
He added: “Let’s resolve to be a society that always points to a better story, one of hope and human flourishing, of life and humanity, even in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Last week, supporters at Christian Institute meetings across Northern Ireland were encouraged to contact politicians and take part in the abortion consultation.
You can read the consultation paper and respond online.
The consultation closes on 16 December.