There's been a lot said lately about our healthcare system and whether the public should be paying for abortions or not, so I thought I just might throw me own tuppence worth into the ring. So here goes.
I think it's a crying shame when a young lass find's herself up the duff and has an abortion. It's a shame that she has to find herself in that position in the first place, although truth be known it was the previous position she found herself in that did the trick and caused the trouble. 'Skirt below the knees and legs crossed' was my Ma's constant 'go on about' to my sister. Good advice for sure these days.
But by the time the little colleen finds herself in the 'delicate condition' as the old folk were want to say, it's water under the bridge to be giving a tongue lashing about crossing the legs.
Now in the old days, when a family found themselves faced with this type of problem, abortion was not one of the choices they had to be making. The boyo did the 'right thing', or the lass would go off for a spell to visit far away relatives until the little one popped out, whereupon the good sisters at the local convent would care for it until a suitable home could be found. It was all done 'hush hush' like.
Today there are people everywhere looking to find themselves a wee one to call their own with none to be found. If they have the dosh they fly off to distant lands and come back with little ones that don't quite blend in with the family genes if you know what I mean.
Far be it from this poor sinner to be passing judgment on the activities that go on in the back of a car, but when it comes babies being tossed out like so much trash, especially when the Blessed Saviour has not seen fit to bless some with little ones of their own; well my heart just cries.
Now of course I have been going on about the youngsters with hormones raging and nought between their ears, but if we be talking about the married ladies, well, what were they not doing to get pregnant in the first place. Surely they know better.
Well I'm in it now am I not? A good Catholic lass married or not is not supposed to be 'taking precautions' cause according to the big fellow in Rome it's not the done thing. I'll let in you in on a little known secret in the protestant world - We Catholics don't pay nearly as much attention to what he says as you might think!
But all that by the wayside, if the lass and her man cannot afford to raise the little tyke, then as I've already said, there are plenty of folk out there with hearts bursting at the seams to have that 'unwanted bundle of joy'.
I guess it's just too much trouble for some people to be carrying round God's little blessing for such a long time, so it's off to the nackery with him. Chop chop! Problem solved!
Now although I really don't want to be mentioning this final thing, I know if I don't there will be some wanting to spar a bit with me so I will.
Sometimes, an abortion might be needed for medical reasons. Maybe it's a choice between the mother or the child. What then? Well, personally I think the Good Lord understands! There are some of course who say let them both die - well perhaps they don't say that but it's what it comes down to. Well they have their own problems now don't they.
I grew up being taught and believing that God is good and merciful and loving. He is our father. I'm sorry if your father was not of that kind of kin, but mine was, so when I think what my father would do and say in a situation and think how much better is our Blessed Saviour than my Da, then I know that God is far more loving than many religious folk make him out to be.
'Our Father who art in Heaven ... Forgive us our sins even as we forgive those who sin against us!'
John Walsh
John J. Walsh, a Catholic, is originally from Ireland; went to high school and university in Australia, and later moved to the U.S.A. He lives in the Midwest and is married to an American. He now has a lot of time on his hands and is taking the opportunity to see some of his musings in print. Fearing the hot blooded protestants and not wanting to reach heaven or hell faster than is God's plan, his personal email address and other particulars are not available for publication. You may however Email him at: johnjwalsh_magic @live.com
