NEWSWATCH | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2024

Author: Sam Biju

Thousands gather for Ireland's March for Life amidst a surge in abortion rates. 

Thousands of pro-life activists participated in the Ireland March for Life on 6 May 2024, marching from St Stephen’s Green in central Dublin to the Irish Parliament. Video footage shared online depicts large gatherings of pro-life advocates, predominantly young people from high school and college, holding balloons, banners, and signs promoting pro-life sentiments. The atmosphere appears jubilant, with many participants seen smiling and expressing enthusiasm through cheers. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, alongside various other Catholic leaders, joined the march. He described the occasion as ‘inspiring and optimistic’. 

Ahead of Ireland's elections, speakers encouraged those participating in the march to consider a pro-life stance this year. This call to action comes shortly after Ireland approved a bill titled ‘Safe Access Zones,’ establishing designated areas of 100 metres (about 300 feet) around entrances and exits of abortion providers. Within these zones, specific behaviours aimed at obstructing access or influencing decisions regarding termination of pregnancy services will be prohibited. 

Eilís Mulroy, one of the organisers and speakers at the march, urged Irish citizens to prioritise voting for candidates and political parties supportive of the pro-life movement. Mulroy emphasised the urgency of this action in light of escalating abortion rates, which he described as having a detrimental impact on Irish society. In 2018, Ireland legalised abortion, permitting it until the 12th week of pregnancy. Prior to this, under Ireland’s eighth amendment, abortions were only allowed if the mother's life was at risk. A commission established to review legislation following the 2018 referendum is currently deliberating on several changes. These include the potential elimination of the three-day waiting period, the removal of criminal penalties for medical professionals conducting abortions, and revisions to the legal definition of fatal foetal anomalies. 

As reported by the Irish news outlet Offaly Independent, Ireland witnessed a record high of 9,218 abortions in 2023. This marked an increase from 8,876 abortions in 2022 and an average of around 7,000 abortions annually from 2019 to 2021. Since the legalisation of abortion in 2018, approximately 38,018 pregnancies have been terminated in Ireland. 

Colombians march across various cities simultaneously, calling for an end to abortion

Tens of thousands of Colombians participated in the 18th National March for Life across more than 110 cities and towns on 4 May 2024 under the theme ‘Colombia, With Life There Is Hope,’ as reported by the organising platform, United for Life. The marchers rallied for the annulment of Colombia's Constitutional Court rulings that decriminalised and subsequently liberalised abortion. 

United for Life was joined by various pro-life organisations, including 40 Days for Life, the Men’s Rosary, and Rachel’s Vineyard, along with support from dioceses, nuns, priests, families, and numerous laypeople. Simultaneous pro-life demonstrations occurred in major cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cúcuta, Montería, Pereira, Cumaral, and many others. Before a crowd adorned with light blue flags and wearing blue neckerchiefs, emblematic of the pro-life movement, Jesús Magaña, the president of United for Life, delivered a manifesto. In it, he lamented the ‘nearly 20,000 abortions occurring solely in the city of Bogotá,’ which he asserted surpasses ‘other causes of violent deaths by a factor of 20.’ 

Magaña also cautioned against the intentions of the Constitutional Court, alleging that it seeks to declare abortion a ‘fundamental right,’ contrary to the principles enshrined in Colombia's constitution, the sentiments of its people, and international treaties to which Colombia is a signatory. The manifesto by United for Life called for the annulment of the Constitutional Court's pro-abortion rulings, specifically citing C-355 of 2006 and C-055 of 2022, which it described as contributing to a ‘terrible holocaust.’ Additionally, the organisation urged the Legislature to set aside ‘euthanasia bills’ and instead enact legislation safeguarding life, pregnancy, motherhood, and the institution of the family. It also demanded the Legislature ‘defeat bill 270 of 2024 that prohibits parents from choosing the best psychological treatment for their children according to their convictions, values, and principles’ and for forceful action against child sexual exploitation and support for ‘women with crisis or unexpected pregnancies through well-funded public policies.’

Father Laureano Barón, a priest from the Archdiocese of Bogotá, was among the speakers who addressed the attendees. He underscored that ‘God is the sole master of life, from its natural beginning to its natural end.’ He urged everyone to recognise Colombia as a pro-life nation and encouraged prayers for the conversion of individuals.