Ireland Votes to End Abortion Ban in Rebuke to Catholic Church

[Voltaire2]

DUBLIN — Ireland voted decisively to repeal one of the world’s more restrictive abortion bans, sweeping aside generations of conservative patriarchy and dealing the latest in a series of stinging rebukes to the Roman Catholic Church.

The surprising landslide, reflected in the results announced on Saturday, cemented the nation’s liberal shift at a time when right-wing populism is on the rise in Europe and the Trump administration is imposing curbs on abortion rights in the United States. In the past three years alone, Ireland has installed a gay man as prime minister and has voted in another referendum to allow same-sex marriage.

But this was a particularly wrenching issue for Irish voters, even for supporters of the measure. And it was not clear until the end that the momentum toward socially liberal policies would be powerful enough to sweep away deeply ingrained opposition to abortion.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/26/world/europe/ireland-abortion-yes.html

The collapse of the RCC in Ireland is a modern day miracle. There is hope yet for humanity.

[guillaumeb]

1. A dramatic and unsupported conclusion on your part.

But it is good that choice was chosen and womens' rights were affirmed.

[MineralMan]

2. Oh, bother and nonsense...

[guillaumeb]

9. Nonsense and bother.......

[yallerdawg]

3. You're right, of course - if one were to read the article.

The church was, in fact, largely absent from the referendum campaign. Anti-abortion campaigners actively discouraged its participation, preferring to emphasize moral values and human rights rather than religion, possibly to avoid being tarnished by the church-related scandals.

During the campaign, the Association of Catholic Priests urged its members not to preach politics from the pulpit. The guidance came after some priests had threatened their congregations that they would not be able to receive Communion if they voted “yes,” according to people who attended the Masses.

Not much of a rebuke if the "offending" party backs off and accepts societal change in a democracy.

[guillaumeb]

10. Agreed, but the narrative is paramount.

For some.

[Voltaire2]

5. Lolllulzd

The church was, in fact, largely absent from the referendum campaign. Anti-abortion campaigners actively discouraged its participation, preferring to emphasize moral values and human rights rather than religion, possibly to avoid being tarnished by the church-related scandals.

They are so despised and toxic they were told to stay out of the campaign

[Major Nikon]

18. They were also told not to threaten those who voted "Yes"

Very telling that.

[Pope George Ringo II]

4. The self-righteous twits don't seem to consider themselves very rebuked.

https://www.rte.ie/news/eighth-amendment/2018/0526/966199-referendum-reax-no/

[NeoGreen]

6. Yeah, there is a lot of that going around...

...even here on DU. No shame.

[Pope George Ringo II]

7. And they weren't as quiet during the campaign as some would have you believe, either.

https://www.rte.ie/news/eighth-amendment/2018/0519/964607-eighth-amendment/

[NeoGreen]

8. Rat bastards, let it go already, it's gone, the liberals won this one...

...and to think there are those here on DU defending the RCC's parroting of RWTP's.

[Mariana]

11. But didn't you read upthread?

The Church has decided to accept the societal changes that resulted in this vote! They're not going to try to subvert the will of the voters in any way! Isn't that wonderful?

[NeoGreen]

12. Almost makes you want to say...

..."good news", but then reality rears its ugly head and reminds us that we have been subject to this BS (this particular brand of BS) for over 2000 years.

[Mariana]

13. I suspect that none of the posters in this group

has been granted authority to speak for the Catholic Church, and to announce that the Church is going to back off and accept this particular societal change. The Archbishop in PGR II's link, on the other hand, is much more credible as a spokesperson. His description of the Church's position is probably the one we should heed.

[NeoGreen]

14. I concur (nt)

[MineralMan]

15. The RCCs refusal to enter the 21st Century is striking.

Or even the 20th, for that matter. Its hypocrisy and antiquated doctrines will be its undoing. At least I hope they will. From misogyny to sheltering child sex abusers, the church hierarchy has made it clear where it stands, despite public statements about acceptance and change.

The time of relevance for the Roman Catholic Church has passed, and only inertia keeps it alive. Eventually friction and resistance will bring it to a halt, even though its inertia is large, due to its enormous mass.

[Pope George Ringo II]

16. They just keep doubling down on their need for control.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/catholics-who-voted-yes-should-consider-confession-says-bishop-1.3511127

[Mariana]

17. Oh, joy. More threats for those who didn't vote the way they were told.

That's a nice soul you got there. It would be a real shame if anything bad was to happen to it.

[Lordquinton]

19. Deserves it's own OP

Of course, Dawkins might have tweeted something recently, so watch out for that.