Ireland is voting today on whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment which mandates protections for unborn children.
As ChristianHeadlines.com previously reported, “Irish voters will go to the polls on May 25 to vote on a referendum that would add a new amendment to the Constitution overturning the Eighth Amendment, which was approved by voters in 1983 and gives equal rights to the unborn and to the mother. Specifically, the Eighth Amendment reads: ‘The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.’”
LifeNews.com reportsthat Christians and pro-life family groups have been encouraging voters to vote “no” on the repeal. Irish Catholic Bishop John Buckley, who supports the Amendment, commented that, if it were to be repealed, animals would have more rights than humans:
“It is remarkable that the State, which, under the Wildlife Act, has so many legal protections for non-human life, is trying to remove the most basic right of the child in the womb,” said Buckley.
LifeSiteNew.com also reportedon the vote, calling on people to pray and fast that the protections for the unborn would remain in place.
“Please pray and fast especially while Irish polling stations are open on May 25, from 7 AM until 10 PM Irish Summer Time (i.e. 2 AM until 5 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time).”
Irish voters are reportedly split fairly evenly on the Amendment, and the vote will likely be close.
Photo: Niamh Gavin casts her vote as she holds her daughter Fiadh aged 5 months at a polling station on May 25, 2018 in Athlone, Ireland. Voters in Ireland will decide whether to abolish or keep the 8th amendment which makes it illegal for a woman to have an abortion in the country unless in certain circumstances where her life is at risk. The result of the referendum is expected on Saturday.
Photo courtesy: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Publication date: May 25, 2018
