USA – We want our leaders to speak with moral clarity on abortio

We want our leaders to speak with moral clarity on abortion

By Jon O’Brien, opinion contributor
Feb 5, 2019

When President Trump was elected, many women realized that something that seemed a far prospect could become reality — that Roe V. Wade could be overturned. In the face of this threat, we have also seen something inspiring. State legislators across the country — from Oregon to Illinois to New York — have passed a wave of progressive laws to protect access to abortion and safeguard a woman’s autonomy to make her own moral choices over deeply consequential, deeply complex decisions around when and whether to continue a pregnancy.

Continued: https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/428397-we-want-our-leaders-to-speak-with-moral-clarity-on-abortion

The arc of moral progress may be long, but Argentina’s women will prevail

The arc of moral progress may be long, but Argentina’s women will prevail

By Jon O'Brien, opinion contributor
08/16/18

Last week’s vote in Argentina’s Senate — which struck down the chance to legalize abortion — was a disappointment for millions of Argentinians and reproductive rights advocates around the world.

But it was also an outcome that is not easily explained away. As we saw in Chile, my native Ireland and Argentina, many Catholic majority countries are opening up about their faith, the ethics of choice and what it means to trust women like never before. Argentina’s unprecedented debate has emboldened a movement for women’s equality and dignity in the country, and the hemisphere, that is unstoppable.

Continued: http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/402176-the-arc-of-moral-progress-may-be-long-but-argentinas-women-will-prevail

Argentina congress takes historic step towards legalising abortion

Argentina congress takes historic step towards legalising abortion

Lower house votes 129-123 to allow abortion in first 14 weeks
If senate approves bill President Macri has said he will sign it

Uki Goñi in Buenos Aires
Thu 14 Jun 2018

The lower house of Argentina’s congress has narrowly approved a bill that would legalise abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, in a historic victory for the country’s growing women’s movement.

Tens of thousands of women – many wearing the green headscarfs which have become a symbol of the movement – braved a freezing winter night to stand vigil outside the congress building in Buenos Aires during the marathon 20-hour debate.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/14/argentina-congress-vote-legalise-abortion

Ireland: Catholics have evolved in their thinking about abortion

Catholics have evolved in their thinking about abortion
Irish Catholics stand by women, and trust them to be moral agents of their own lives

Jan 15, 2018
Jon O'Brien

Ireland is undertaking a historic debate on abortion and the Eighth Amendment. A prominent voice in this debate will be the Catholic hierarchy. Just last week the Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin argued that even in instances of rape the Catholic position would be to deny a woman her right to end the pregnancy. He also called for the voices of Catholics to be heard.

On that I agree with him – Catholics must be respected, and their views on the Eighth Amendment should be heard. Where we disagree is on what Catholics might have to say.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/catholics-have-evolved-in-their-thinking-about-abortion-1.3356297

U.S.: Catholic bishops’ agenda hurts families

Catholic bishops' agenda hurts families

Jon O'Brien
June 20, 2017

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is kicking off its annual Fortnight for Freedom in Baltimore tomorrow in a celebratory mood. Every year, the bishops present this event as an effort to defend religious liberty. But we’ve seen over five years its real intent: to galvanize the Catholic hierarchy around an agenda to discriminate against and impose their beliefs on Catholics and non-Catholics alike. And their persistence has paid off, despite very little support or attention from everyday Catholics.

Why? Because they found a benefactor unlike any other. President Trump has rewarded the bishops handily for their loyalty during the elections...

Continued at source: Baltimore Sun: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-op-0621-bishops-fortnight-20170619-story.html

Can faith and freedom co-exist? When faith-based health providers and women’s needs clash

Can faith and freedom co-exist? When faith-based health providers and women's needs clash

by Jon O'Brien
Editor: Caroline Sweetman
Gender & Development Volume 25 Issue 1 Fundamentalisms
28 Mar 2017
DOI: 10.1080/13552074.2017.1286808
Publisher: Oxfam GB, Routledge

Faith-based health providers are a major component of health services delivery in many developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. They receive millions of dollars annually from unilateral and bilateral aid agencies to deliver care. At the same time, they often use conservative interpretations of religious teachings to deny access to essential health care, including reproductive health care and HIV/AIDS prevention services. How can we balance the presence of faith-based providers against the rights and needs of women and other vulnerable populations to receive the care they need?

Continued at source: Oxfam: http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/can-faith-and-freedom-co-exist-when-faith-based-health-providers-and-womens-nee-620228

New Zealand: ALRANZ November 2016 Newsletter

ALRANZ November 2016 Newsletter

News
Prochoice Protests in Thames
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Conference
Values Clarification Workshop
News Roundup

Events
TRAPPED screening

Obituaries
Tribute to Valerie Scott QSM JP

[continued at link]

Source: ALRANZ