London, England, Nov 5, 2019 / 07:01 pm (CNA).- The British government launched Monday a public consultation on a proposed framework for the legal provision of abortion in Northern Ireland. It proposes that elective abortions be available up to 12 or 14 weeks gestation.
“With a legal duty now placed on the Government to change the abortion law in Northern Ireland, this consultation focuses on what new regulatory framework must be put in place for lawful access to abortion services in Northern Ireland,” Julian Smith, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, wrote in a foreword to the consultation begun Nov. 4.
“In doing so, the health and safety of women and girls, and clarity and certainty for the medical profession, are at the forefront of the Government’s consideration,” he stated.
The consultation will close Dec. 16. It includes 15 questions regarding particularities of how legal abortion provision should be made in Northern Ireland.
The government intends to published its response to the consultation and details of the action it will take within 12 weeks after Dec. 16.
Under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, passed in July by the British parliament, the government is obliged to create legal access to abortion in the region by March 31, 2020.
The act also provides that since Oct. 22, abortion has been decriminalized in Northern Ireland, and a moratorium has been placed on abortion-related criminal prosecutions. Since Oct. 22, the abortion of a child capable of being born alive, except when the purpose is to preserve the life of the mother, remains unlawful.
Previously, abortion was legally permitted in the region only if the mother’s life was at risk or if there was risk of long term or permanent, serious damage to her mental or physical health.
The NI EF Act was passed because the Northern Ireland Assembly, which has been suspended nearly three years due to a dispute between the two major governing parties, was not able to do business by Oct. 21.
Smith said that among the guiding factors of the provision for legal abortions “will be to ensure that there is a balancing of rights and obligations, as far as practicable, so that no one is compelled to provide services that they have an objection to on the grounds of conscience. This will be recognised and respected, in accordance with other existing medical procedures.”
“We will also continue working with the healthcare profession to ensurethat the legal provisions can also be accompanied by models of care, training, professional guidance and professional standards of practice to assist healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland to clearly understand their legal rights, obligations and duties.”
The government is proposing a legislative framework that will be informed by a UN report based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The NI EF Act requires that the government implement the report’s recommendations.
The consultation includes proposals for the grounds for procuring abortion and gestational time limits; who can provide abortions and where; conscientious objection; and notification requirements.
The government proposes that abortion be available unconditionally up to 12 or 14 weeks gestation.
It proposes that “the gestational time limit in circumstances where the continuance of the pregnancy would cause risk of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or girl, or any existing children or her family, greater than the risk of terminating the pregnancy” be either 22 or 24 weeks. It notes that abortion under these circumstances is lawful in England and Wales up to 24 weeks, though “with advances in medicine and healthcare, it could be possible that a fetus having reached a gestation of 22 weeks (21 weeks + 6 days) is viable and thus capable of being born alive.”
In cases of fetal abnormality, the government is proposing that abortion without time limit be available. It also proposes that abortion without time limit be allowed where there is risk to the life of the mother or it is necessary to provent grave permanent injury to her physical or mental health.
The government proposes that a medical pracitioner or any other registered healthcare professional be able to provide abortions, provided they are appropriately trained and competent to provide treatment in accordance with their professional body’s requirements and guidelines.
It is proposed that abortions could be procured in a variety of settings, with the government noting in particular that medical abortions are becoming more common and can be administered at home. It adds that abortions past 22/24 weeks should be provided in hospitals.
While in England, Wales, and Scotland two doctors must certify that there were lawful grounds for abortion, the government is considering whether only one doctor’s certification should be required in Northern Ireland, “as it is likely that there will be a more significant number of people raising conscientious objections than in other parts of the UK. This could create practical difficulties, in particular delays in women accessing termination services, if two medical professionals, both with an understanding of the woman or girl’s situation, are required to certify the grounds for an abortion.”
The government is also proposing that Northern Ireland have a notification process so there can be data to provide transparency around abortion access.
Regarding conscientious objection, the government proposes that it should be allowed for direct participation in the abortion, “but not associated ancillary, administrative or managerial tasks.” This is in line with the rest of the UK. It would also compel participation when the abortion is deemed necessary to save the mother’s life or to prevent grave permanent injury to her physical or mental health, and another healthcare professional is not immediately available.
The government is asking whether buffer zones should be set up around locations where abortions are procured, barring protest in the locations’ immediate vicinity.
The UK will hold a general election Dec. 12, shortly before the public consultation is due to end.
The amendment to the NI EF Act obliging the government to provide for legal abortion in Northern Ireland was introduced by Stella Creasy, a Labour MP who represents a London constituency.
Bills to legalize abortion in cases of fatal fetal abnormality, rape, or incest failed in the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2016.
In October, the High Court in Belfast had ruled that the region’s ban on the abortion of unborn children with fatal abnormalities violated the UK’s human rights commitments.
Northern Irish women have been able to procure free National Health Service abortions in England, Scotland, and Wales since November 2017.
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Be with us O Mary along the way – Guide every step we take.
Pray to God Almighty, in the name of Jesus Christ! Not Mary, that is an abomination to God. Folks, do what’s written in the Bible, not what the leader of a corrupted religion says.
God came to us through Mary, do you not think he would listen to those who come to HIM through her also? She only leads to Jesus.
May I suggest that you read Brent Pitre’s book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary? Then when you understand the role of the Queen Mother in the Old Testament you will understand why we ask Our Lady to intercede for us.
Eve,
We believe in the Communion of Saints. Perhaps you do too?
If I ask you to pray for our protection against this virus it’s not an abomination. Nor if you ask me or if we ask that of Our Lord’s Mother.
I understand how it might seem confusing if you’re not Catholic but maybe this helps explain a little bit.
Can doctrine be an acceptable alternative to scriptural guidance? People can find comfort in tradition, yet is the apostolic tradition not the best for our eternal souls?
This has been a debate over the generations and if we depart from scripture, what will validate an alternative view? To endorse the perspective that (Mary may her name be blessed) is given a capacity that falls outside of the limits of the Bible, may not be paying proper obeisance to our Lord and saviour!?
The purpose is not to destroy another’s faith, rather, to put matters into the context of Holy Writ. Where do we find the Church doctrinal position confirmed in the Bible?
1 Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
With respect and appreciation.
I (and others) have addressed this several times already, Brian. You write: “and if we depart from scripture, what will validate an alternative view?” But when you accept the NT canon, you “depart” from Scripture, as Scripture does not tell us which books belong in, well, Scripture! But, Scripture does point us to “the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15). Now, we know that this household of God, the Church, is not Protestant, as the Protestant Revolution took place in the 1500s. It’s not complicated. But it is life-changing, so I understand why you keep avoiding it.
Dear Carl:
After a fulsome day of celebrating the Lord, who turns up but your problem child? As we dialogue, our focus is to honour the Lord and clear up misunderstandings which are part and parcel of life.
“But when you accept the NT canon, you “depart” from Scripture, as Scripture does not tell us which books belong in, well, Scripture!”
Is the NT not the fulfillment of the OT? It is a well settled fact through the various councils, the NT is divinely inspired!
We will not look at the Apocrypha as Jerome didn’t consider it part of the canon, however others differed and it found its way in. Yet, did I read somewhere that it is not included in the updated Vulgate?
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
In any event, what is the scriptural basis on which the churches position is envisioned and extrapolated?
Once again thank you for taking the time, you bring out the best in yours truly (as meagre as it may be)!
Continued blessings,
Brian
1 Corinthians 2:10-13 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
“After a fulsome day of celebrating the Lord, who turns up but your problem child?”
Ha! I appreciate your sense of humor, Brian.
“Is the NT not the fulfillment of the OT?”
Yes, absolutely! We agree on this. But–on what basis do you accept the 27 books in the NT as inspired by Holy Spirit, etc.?
“It is a well settled fact through the various councils, the NT is divinely inspired!”
Ah, there you go. And were those councils Protestant?
Hello Carl:
God has given you energy in abundance. In reading your articles, He has also given you a quest for truth and the desire to educate.
Never the less, your alter ego presents itself as you deliver zingers to recalcitrant commenters on various topics. Yes indeed, it’s the “Papal Bull” in this corner, ladies and gentleman.
As you don your cape and step into the ring to address your challenging characters, a win for the Lord is the goal.
We can agree on a great deal as God leads us. The wonder of His love for us!
We know that Luther and Calvin didn’t show up at the councils, however we can postulate that some of their views may have been discussed long before they were born!
The New Vulgate and the versions used amongst protestant believers are much the same. Koine Greek is used to render the most accurate translation in both cases (NIV, Vulgate, etc)!
God bless you,
Brian
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2 Peter 1:19-21 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Mark 12:24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?
Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.