Since 1983, the 8th Amendment to the Irish Constitution has protected the lives of the preborn in Ireland. It is estimated that 100,000+ babies have been saved thanks to the 8th’s emphasis of the “equal right to life” of the preborn child and the mother. Ireland has been a nigh perfect example of the principle “love them both” as it cares for both mother and child from conception onward.
On January 29th of 2018, the government of Ireland voted to hold the 8th Amendment to a referendum. The move was indicative of a sharp leftward turn in the current government of the country. The Oireachtas (Irish Legislature) wrote both the referendum and the laws which would need to be put in place should the 8th Amendment be repealed. The Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland), Leo Varadkar, pushed hard for the repeal of the 8th Amendment.
The media in Ireland and abroad were heavily biased in favor of the amendments repeal. Giant internet companies like Google and Facebook even changed their official policies to negatively impact the already disadvantaged, though powerful, pro-life movement fighting to save the 8th.
Yesterday, after a bitterly fought battle over the next generation of preborn Irish, the 8th Amendment was repealed. This is another capitulation to the cult of Moloch in Europe and marks the return of the demon Crom Cruach. It opens the door for thousands of preborn children to be sacrificed at the altar of convenience.
The Save the 8th campaign leading the no campaign released a statement following the horrific loss,
“The 8th amendment did not create a right to life for the unborn child – it merely acknowledged that such a right exists, has always existed, and will always exist.
What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it.
We are so proud of all of those who stood with us in this campaign: our supporters, our donors, our families and our loved ones. This campaign took a huge personal toll on all of us who were involved, and we have been so grateful for their support.
The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish state. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation. If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well. Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known.
Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today. The constitution has changed, but the facts have not.”
Due to the vote, grave consequences will ripple throughout the nation, and indeed the rest of Europe. The future of the pro-life movement in Ireland and the rest of the continent is on shakier ground without the 8th. However, one thing is certain: the pro-life Irish will not stop resisting the Culture of Death. They will continue to reach the culture with a life-giving message.
Pray for Ireland.
Pray for Europe.
Pray for the preborn.
Elijah is a husband and father living in the midwest. He is passionate about his faith and reaching the world with truth. He cohosts and produces A Catholic and Protestant Walk Into a Bar podcast.
