Brendan O’Regan
It has become an annual event, a sad milestone, a predictable outcome. Yes, it’s the release of abortion figures, and the tragic total for 2024 was 10,852.
You’d expect such a death toll to cause shock and outrage, but media coverage was minimal. Even as we agonise over the Tuam babies, we can manage to dull our consciences to this deliberate ending of the lives of thousands. We lament past abuses even as we create new abuses in the present. The only media coverage I came across was on the Hard Shoulder (Newstalk, Tuesday). It was pretty awful. The only guest was Dr Madeleine Ní Dhálaigh, Vice Chair of the GP Committee of the IMO and GP in Castlerea, Roscommon. Presenter Kieran Cuddihy is generally friendly and empathic with guests (all good in the case of personal stories) but he can get tough too. However, this was so unchallenging, you’d think the pro-life point of view didn’t even exist. And so, unhindered, the doctor went on a euphemism binge, with talk of “pregnancy care”, “safe service” (not for the baby), “legal healthcare”. Despite the lost lives, she was “very proud” of the “services” provided. She wanted our abortion laws relaxed even further – seeing the 12-week limit as being too tight, and finding problems with the rules on “fatal foetal abnormalities”. She referred to women who “have to travel” and women who “feel they can’t continue the pregnancy”. For someone who is obviously ‘pro-choice’ to be so sure women can’t choose to protect the lives of their living unborn children is ironic. Kieran Cuddihy asked her about protests outside her clinic (abortion ‘provider’), before finishing with a description of the item as “really interesting stuff”.
On a more positive note, last Monday saw the second episode of The Last Missionaries (RTÉ One), and again it was a largely positive take on the valuable work of Irish missionaries. In this episode there were some different angles. The problem of clerical abuse in mission lands was raised – abuse not just of children but of nuns as well. There was a suspicion that the missions were a “dumping ground” for clerics accused of abuse at home. Whistleblowers, as is typical, told of suffering because they raised concerns. There were accusations of cover-ups and inaction by Church authorities. It’s a sadly familiar story. And yet there were also stories of the great dedication of missionary priests and nuns – e.g. staying with their people in times of war. Tribute was paid to Irish clerical film makers for bringing such wars (e.g. in Biafra) to public attention. We owe a considerable debt to the Radharc team whose footage has made a significant contribution to this and many other documentaries. Another new angle was the reversal whereby missionary priests from Africa are now evangelising in Ireland, giving something back to the country that gave them so much. Their experience deserves a whole programme of its own.
There was reference to the ‘soft power’ Ireland had due to the work of the missionaries, and how their positive influence opened doors for Irish NGOs like Concern and for diplomats managing our overseas aid. As I wrote last week, I’d like to have heard more about lay missionaries like Edel Quinn and those from Viatores Christi, but all in all it was an uplifting presentation, with upbeat presentation by narrators Dearbhail McDonald and Bryan Dobson, who ended on this note: “the world will still need the missionary spirit”.
There was more positivity on Songs of Praise (BBC One, Sunday), with an episode sub-titled ‘God in the Garden’. Yorkshire was the base as Claire McCollum presented some reflections on how gardens and related matters figured in the Bible, both literally and figuratively. Dr Joanna Leidenhag linked to the Garden of Eden, and a hope of restoration, of being with God, described as “the ultimate gardener”. We can partner with God for this work, as we bring about more beauty. Reverends Ian and Linda had created a garden retreat with all sorts of Christian symbolism, especially in relation to the Trinity. Grace Willis in Leeds stressed the importance of stewardship and was transforming neglected streetscape spaces as a way of loving one’s neighbour and caring for God’s creation.
I thought the music chosen could have been better related to the theme. Best song for me was ‘Wildflowers’, performed in a beautiful garden by acoustic duo Our Atlantic Roots. Good stuff!