The recent vote in the Irish Supreme Court repealing the nation’s strict abortion laws, which while it evoked wild celebrations among women there and who were perturbed over the death of an Indian immigrant women related to abortion denial, also caused a setback to the Church and its pro-life adherents. The alarming thought is the eerie silence prevailing in the social media worldwide over this contentious but grave moral issue at the centre of which is the hapless unborn child pleading for mercy in the face of the surgeon’s knife.
This verdict is bound to embolden women activists in other moralistic nations where abortion is still illegal and might not create any reaction in India where the immoral practice does not figure in the scheme of things. In Ireland, the celebrations centred around Savita Halappanavar and who succumbed to septic miscarriage. It was believed that abortion would have saved her life.
In the fast growing secular world like India such an issue hardly tugs at the heartstrings, let aside figuring in subjects like value education. But in the Western world there exist strong pro-life groups which stage marches in cities like Washington carrying out campaigns to stop the unofficial genocide committed worldwide.
What is the prospect for hope when the media never give even a passing mention on the subject and the million dollar industry in fetuses parts which is indulged in by the abortion industry, especially in the West, by organisations like Planned Parenthood? There is danger that India which blindly follows Western attitudes, might follow suit. However, the Indian Church sticks to its moral teachings which consider that abortion is a grave mortal sin and simultaneously conducts awareness and rehabilitation programmes for victims of abortion. Mother Teresa’s society is known for its homes dedicated to children who were saved from abortion.
It is time to open our eyes to the plight of the unborn child and who still remains a child. In progressive Christian circles in Mumbai periodically exhibitions are held on the subject of value education and which services are open to the wider society.
The social media should turn its attention to the subject and create consciousness. It is believed that mental illnesses have taken a heavy toll of a state like Goa, which includes repercussions of unwanted children and strings of abortions. We must take strength from American President Donald Trump, whatever his image, and who has reversed abortion laws, first thing after assuming office.
