Presbyterians welcome proposed abortion amendment

“The Presbyterian Church is strongly pro life and is totally committed to the biblical view that human life is special and made in the image of God,” says Very Rev. Norman Hamilton, convener of the Presbyterian Church and Society Committee.

“We uphold the sanctity of human life and do so from conception believing that the termination of human life at any stage within the womb should not be considered except under the most extreme circumstances.

“We have consistently resisted any attempt to undermine or oppose the current legal position in Northern Ireland believing it to protect children and care for mothers.

“Consequently the Presbyterian Church welcomes the proposed amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which brings clarification and accountability to the circumstances under which abortions are possible in Northern Ireland.

“We remain opposed to abortion on demand for purely social reasons or as a means of birth control. However we recognise the need to allow abortions in the most extreme cases, that is when allowing the pregnancy to proceed will have a catastrophic effect on the mental health or life of the mother. In that respect the judgment of the medical practitioners and psychiatrists should be respected.

“Even in these extreme cases where medical abortion might be necessary the most stringent safeguards should be provided and the proposed amendment further strengthens the existing regulations,” concluded Dr. Hamilton.