Chai Brady
Bishop Kevin Doran 
Priest describes remark as ‘offensive’
There has been mixed responses from Catholics after Bishop Kevin Doran said those who voted ‘Yes’ in the abortion referendum should consider Confession, with some dubbing it “offensive”.
Laois-based priest and author Fr Paddy Byrne said that dozens of priests were “absolutely furious” at the bishop’s comments, saying that it was furthering a sense of polarisation after an intense debate. “I think in terms of where we find ourselves to be, to try and come out in a juridical manner and start being prescriptive in relation to how people voted with their conscience – and many of them are members of the Catholic community – I feel is both offensive and has caused a further sense of polarisation to many members of the Christian family we belong to,” Fr Paddy told The Irish Catholic.
Bishop Doran made his comments on RTÉ Radio One, saying: “What I’d say to a Catholic who voted ‘Yes’ is this, if you voted ‘Yes’ knowing and intending that abortion would be the outcome then you should consider coming to Confession.”
Compassion
He added that those who want to come to Confession “will be received with the same compassion as any other penitent”.
Fr Paddy said that following the referendum result, now should be a time to “press the pause button” and for all members to reflect and heal. He believes the majority of people who voted ‘Yes’ “didn’t vote for abortion [on demand]” but did so to allow women to have a choice in tragic circumstances.
“What I would say to them is to stay with us. Do not walk away, and together we can be stronger.”
DCU theology lecturer Dr John Murray said he was “struck” by the shock registered by the Irish public after Bishop Doran spoke of sin.
Dr Murray said it “is not a good situation at all” that the Irish population, and Catholics, are not accustomed to hearing about sin.
“In my opinion, Catholics should have heard a lot more of it during the lead up to the referendum, and indeed before then,” he said.
Speaking about Catholics who voted ‘Yes’ with their conscience, he said it was a vote that facilitated abortion in Ireland if the proposed legislation is implemented as suggested in the Heads of Bill. This would allow the procurement of abortion on demand up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and up to six months on physical or mental health grounds.
“Even if one voted with the hope that few would choose abortion, or only in the ‘hard cases’, one’s vote, as a means to an end, directly enabled the Government to widen the provision of abortion,” he said
The lecturer added that if ‘Yes’ voters believed they were not voting for this, and had been misled, then they need not go to Confession despite their act being wrong – but should repent.
He added that if their “ignorance was due to negligence…or wilful deception” then even if they followed their conscience “they ought to consider confessing the sin”.
