Galway Cathedral abortion protest criticised

Pro-abortion campaign an “insult to women” – Cora Sherlock

A banner promoting abortion pills hanging from scaffolding at Galway Cathedral at the weekend has been dismissed by pro-life campaigners as an insult to women.

A new group campaigning for further abortion liberalisation, Diobhail, hung a banner on Galway Cathedral between 7 and 11am last Sunday advertising pills that induce miscarriages.

Parishioners attending Mass celebrated by Canon Peter Rabbite were met by the banner. However, Canon Rabbitte said: “The banners did not create a talking point. We had Mass as normal.”

Pro-Life Campaign spokesperson Cora Sherlock described the actions of Diobhail as an “insult to women”.

“This stunt seems to be a challenge to the Catholic Church, hanging at the highest point of the Cathedral,” said Ms Sherlock.

Ms Sherlock also accused HSE chief executive Tony O’Brien of “glaring double standards” following his comments on the merits of undercover investigations in healthcare settings.

Following revelations from a home in Swinford, Co. Mayo, about the treatment of elderly people, Mr O’Brien praised the undercover work of reporters.

This was in sharp contrast to his attitude towards the undercover investigation into the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) regarding life-endangering practices at State-funded pregnancy counselling services, Ms Sherlock said.