ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe

Pro-Life Dinner 2019 Reflections and actions prolife campaign sallux 2 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe

The Pro-Life Dinner 2019 was the first time that Pro-Life Ireland and Sallux cooperated. It was the starting gun for more cooperation at the European level as we move forward. This small publication offers some reflections and speeches on this theme as well as an outline of the follow-up of the Pro-Life Dinner through the Future Leaders Programme. We hope that this small collection of reflection and action will offer encouragement to all who are dedicated to the Pro-Life cause in Ireland and Europe.

Opening Speech Pro-Life Dinner by Senator Rónán Mullen

It’s wonderful to see so many of you here tonight. Year on year I am delighted by the level of support by so many people all around Ireland for the essential educational work of the Pro Life Campaign

I’m very pleased to co-host this event with the Pro Life Campaign and see it go from strength to strength. This year I am par- ticularly pleased to introduce our Europe- an partner Sallux. You will see the details about Sallux on your menu cards and here on stage. Sallux is an association that acts as the political foundation for the Euro- pean Christian Political Movement. It exchanges information and ideas and in- creases spreading of a new positive vision for European society. I acknowledge that sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 3 the presence of Johannes de Jong of Sal- ners to work together to develop a Europe- lux here tonight. I welcome him to Ireland, an-wide ethical framework within which we thank him for Sallux’s interest in our work can achieve our goals. Some areas include and partnership with us. the vindicating of freedom of conscience rights of medical and healthcare profes- Many of you will be familiar with the work sionals and using the rights set out in the that goes on in year in year out by the Pro European Convention of Human Rights Life Campaign. For many years I have had and other European human rights juris- a strong relationship with the Campaign prudence to strengthen protection of and even before entering politics when I was a defend the human dignity of the vulnera- very involved in university and during my ble. All of these areas must be developed. years in journalism. The work of defend- ing the human rights of unborn babies and This cannot happen without focused ed- supporting their mothers is crucial. ucational initiatives - especially for our younger members. Since the passage of abortion legislation here in Ireland in 2018 there are many are- You will hear more about the proposed as that now require research, development educational initiatives of the campaign for and education. In the past, within the pro- 2019 and 2020 as the evening goes on. For life movement, our focus was on what we now, I want to thank all of you for being could do here in Ireland. While that has here and wish you the the very best of eve- not changed, we are now looking more to- nings. Thank you. wards our European neighbours and part- sallux 4 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe Pro-Life in Europe by Johannes de Jong

joined the ECPM in recent years. Sallux means Salt and Light which of course refers to the words of Jesus to be Salt and Light. Organizations working at the crossroads of Christian faith, society and politics from all over Europe are part of Sallux. All the above is relevant in this introductory reflection on Pro-Life in the European context.

Born in 1975, as long as I can remember it has been the case in The that abortion was legalized. I remember how in the nineties this was expanded to euthana- sia. Basically, in the first half of the nine- ties there was a general push to remove the little legal barriers there still were to protect life from beginning to end. It was part of a wider agenda of cultural liberalism pushed through in society. This was first and foremost a political and ideological First of all, I want to thank Pro Life Cam- agenda of small but well-placed pressure paign Ireland for their work and our co- groups. There was no widespread demand operation in the Pro-Life Dinner. Based for changing legislation in this regard. This on my Dutch and European experience demonstrates how the public debate is also it is for me crystal clear that the Pro Life shaped by political decisions. Movement cannot work without European cooperation. Let me begin by introducing The question that has regularly been raised myself and Sallux to you to clarify my point is: where does the Dutch road lead to? To- of departure. I am from The Netherlands day there is an interesting new develop- and I am the director of Sallux, the political ment in The Netherlands that few are aware foundation or think-tank of the European of outside our country and it is a develop- Christian Political Movement, ECPM. The ment that has significance for all pro-life ECPM is the pan- organizations in Europe. There is a slow but that unabashedly stands for life, family and clear undercurrent in society that identifies freedom across Europe and we are glad and names the problematic sides of the that a growing number of parties in Europe legislation that was pushed through in the sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 5 nineties. In some rare cases this has already these consequences became real and hit led to changes in legislation. the wall of other realities. In my opinion this is an important notion for the Pro-Life Cultural taboos on the downsides of the movement in Ireland. I do understand that left-liberal agenda are slowly breaking many people will be a bit downbeat after down. Now several women’s magazines the abortion referendum. However, my ad- allow articles dedicated to the regret wom- vice would be not to try to cling to the past en have after an abortion1. Another serious but prepare for the future. example is that in 2016 against expectations an advisory committee on euthanasia legis- Two words are key here. The first is com- lation advised the government against fur- passion and the second is cooperation. ther liberalization of the current legislation, citing the excesses that already took place2. Compassion is concrete action. In The In a liberal newspaper a column pleaded Netherlands there is a serious engage- for a continuation of the abortion debate ment to support women with unwanted from the perspective of the sanctity of life3. pregnancies and those who need care as From a broader perspective one can see a consequence of an abortion. This is not that liberalizing prostitution as happened just a ‘pro-life’ agenda. It is an agenda of in the 90’s in The Netherlands is now right- care for the vulnerable. This is visible as well ly increasingly under critique as oppression in the palliative care movement that really of women. In a stunning reversal legisla- became a mainstream reality in The Neth- tion has now been implemented that limit erlands with wide and deep public approv- the use of alcohol by prohibiting the sale of al. Across Europe there is a wide network it to people under 18. of organizations that support women who are trapped in prostitution and help them It is possible to add more examples, but the to get out. This is increasingly seen as part essence is clear. The idea of the ‘rational of the fight against human trafficking. It is autonomous individual’ as goal and end partially through the work of these organ- of all reasoning is no longer above scruti- izations that the attitude towards prostitu- ny. The wave of legislation of the 90’s has tion is changing. created consequences and at some point Ultimately the precise examples matter 1 https://www.libelle.nl/mensen/de-dag-na- less than the spirit of this compassionate dat-l36/, https://www.libelle.nl/mensen/inter- approach. Instead of ‘being right’ it will be views-2/petra-abortus-heftiger-verwacht/, https:// www.viva.nl/sex-en-liefde/spijt-van-abortus/, more important to be compassionate and https://www.margriet.nl/persoonlijk/nog-nooit-ver- clear. Compassionate for those who suffer teld-abortus-mijn-schuld/ as a consequence of this enforced cultural 2 https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rap- liberalism and clear in the sense that these porten/2016/02/04/rapport-adviescommissie-vol- tooid-leven consequences need to be researched and 3 https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/05/25/ communicated in the framework of com- blijf-de-details-van-abortus-bediscussie- passion for the vulnerable. The case of fe- ren-a3961508 sallux 6 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe male pilots being forced to undergo abor- cess through translations of existing work. tions for their career is a poignant example At the same time we strive for a pro-life re- in that regard4. All these points may already lational economy, a holistic approach that sound familiar to you but it is crucial to supports families and life. The one can and implement this attitude of compassion as needs to go hand in hand with the other. a strategy to stand for life and those who Pro-life for the whole life in that sense. If are vulnerable. It may take twenty or thirty you want to know more on our work, please years but at some point people will start to go to our website and online bookstore see that the grass is not all that green in the (www.sallux.eu). new meadows. The Pro-Life cause is ultimately rooted in Cooperation is from our point of view first our respect for human dignity. That has to and foremost European cooperation. The be reflected throughout the EU. All Pro-Life Future Leaders Program of the Students movements in Europe need to work to- for Life that is supported through the Pro gether to remind the EU and its Member Life Dinner is an excellent example of States of articles one and two in the Charter European cooperation. A Pan-European of Fundamental Rights of the EU5: ‘Human summit that brings young people all over dignity is inviolable. It must be respected Europe together to be educated about EU and protected.’ and ‘Everyone has the right political systems and how to be part of the to life.’. Let us continue to work together in European debate. This is a most welcome this common cause. step. At the moment there is still a tenden- cy in the English-speaking world to look to the US. However, Ireland is an EU Mem- ber State and part of Europe in the wider sense of the word. The developments in Ireland seem to follow a European pattern. European cooperation is therefore most relevant in the Irish cultural and political setting. Because what happens in Europe influences Ireland.

This is exactly where we as Sallux come in. Our aim is to support this pan-European cooperation as we demonstrate through the Pro-Life Dinner and similar activities across Europe. In addition we release pub- lications on these issues and try to give ac-

4 https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fema- le-pilots-told-to-choose-between-abortion-and-lo- 5 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/ sing-out-on-work-says-union-chief-38239798.html text_en.pdf sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 7 The need to educate young people in respect for life and human dignity Elma Walsh

nal in October 2012 was to make sure he received Holy Communion every day and that he would get dressed and out of the house every day, and he did this for the sev- en months he lived with terminal cancer, up to two days before he died.

And the first thing he did himself!! was make a fake ID, WELL, when I questioned him about it he said, “Mom think about it, I won’t live to be 18, I won’t be here in two years to get to see the inside of a nightclub and experience all that I should.” And now for heaven sake how could I argue with that.

That is just a short synopsis of the charac- ter of Donal, he was a boy of faith and he understood what it was to be a teenager of day’s world, but also while he knew he wouldn’t have too long in this world he had Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen, Life and Hope in his life. I’d like to thank Eilis, Ronan all involved for inviting me here to speak tonight. I don’t In a speech made by Robert Kennedy 53 think anyone here tonight would have years ago he said: “It is from numberless heard of Fionnbar or myself if our son diverse acts of courage and belief that hu- didn’t speak out, now over 6 years ago ask- man history is shaped. Each time a person ing young people to appreciate their lives, stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve while and when they had it. the lot of others, or strikes out against in- justice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, Firstly I suppose I’d better set a short pic- and crossing each other from a million dif- ture of Donal, one of the first things he ferent centres of energy and daring those asked of me after he was diagnosed termi- ripples to build a current which can sweep sallux 8 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe down the mightiest walls of oppression and their lives and as he said himself on tele- resistance.” I feel Donal took a few blocks vision, “not just mentally but to appreciate off those walls of oppression and resistance life in general”, how he wanted what was for people with confused or disorientated best for them, how he wanted them to live taught’s and suicidal feelings and also for healthy, caring lives into old age. people who were afraid to speak about their faith. People often ask me how did Donal say what he did and where did he get the cour- I was asked here to speak about Hope and age at just 16 yrs old to speak about suicide, Life and funnily enough my opening point faith, life and acceptance, topics many an when I visit schools is Hope, I start off by adult would shy away from discussing. saying Hope by its very definition is feeling of expectation, desire and for a particular My reply usually is Education and Faith. thing to happen, you wish, you plan, you Donal’s Faith gave him the confidence to dream, you even day dream and really isn’t write those 2 letters that brought him to that what we all do, not just the teenagers prominence. we talk with. Faith was a big part of Donal’s life, even With hope in our lives we will strive to speaking publicly on the Saturday Night improve, not just our lives but the lives of show with Brendan O’Connor he said “it others. There must always be life and hope was a hugh part of his life and he wouldn’t in our lives because without one the other be here today without it.” would cease to exist. A local journalist after meeting Donal said From visiting an average of 4 schools a “in the 20 Years of journalism, I have rarely, week around Ireland we see there is real if ever, been affected as much by any en- reason for Hope in Ireland, it is today’s counter “. teenagers that keep asking us to speak in their schools or events and we’ve been The Journalist continued, “The best way asked back an average of 4times to most I tried to describe Donal was that I didn’t schools. feel he belonged in this world. His aura, his presence, made you feel he was in this It was 3000 of today’s teenagers that came world, but not of it. This may sound odd to Knock to celebrate his 6th Anniversary but that’s how it was and that’s how it re- Mass a month ago and 2500 attended last mains”. year. They relate to Donal in a variety of ways, they see he looked and dressed and He interviewed Donal on his own and spoke the same as themselves, they are asked him about his faith after his interview impressed with the way he spoke about his he said it all made sense “ Donal Walsh faith. They see what mattered to Donal and loved God, he had tremendous faith and it how he wanted young people to appreciate was his well of strength.” sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 9

In his own writings Donal said “It still felt There are signs from other countries that like a mountain I couldn’t climb, nonethe- the tide can turn back in favour of respect less God had given me hiking boots so I for life. With hope in our hearts, we must might as well start climbing. I have to re- strive to become even better witnesses for member that God is using me, whether He life in new and inspiring ways. is using me as a symbol for people to ap- preciate life more or whether His first two I am very pleased to hear of the Future mountains weren’t high enough for me, all Leaders Programme that the Pro Life Cam- I know is that I am walking with Him even paign is starting for young people, to equip though it is along His path.” Donal spoke them to present the case for life in this openly about his faith and I think that is challenging and ever changing world. what attracted people to talk to Donal and still attract people to him. With the results of the recent referendum come a lot of opportunities to educate our Education is a powerful tool, but not just young people about abortion and life and in schools where teenagers can learn not being allowed to live all your life. In a recent just from teachers but also their peers and study the department of health in England this is an excellent model of teaching. But did a completed u turn despite maintain- education in the home must be the great- ing their denial of foetal pain up to a few est form of learning from life’s challenges, months ago, they now stated that a foetus loves, hopes and dreams. It should never be does feel pain. As human beings we all have left solely to teachers to educate our youth, the right to life and the right to live it up to they have enough to do with the 25/30 stu- the day we naturally pass away. dents in their classes. Having the privilege of watching and nurs- Young people learn from what they see ing Donal up to the day he died showed every day from participation, the witness of me, not only how delicate and precious others and engaging effectively, from be- life is but also how to live life, to be brave ing given opportunities to learn and from enough to get out there and speak out the being praised and given the space to make really important things in life, Sure Look mistakes, it is only from engaging, partici- At Me Now!!, if Donal at 16 and living with pating and making mistakes that we learn. terminal cancer could speak out what mat- Learning everyday is not just for the young, tered, what excuses have I or any of us. It we are all students of how to live well until is in living and expressing your life to its the day that we die. full potential that you show example to the youth. I know many people are saddened by the loss of last year’s referendum but we One example I use of Donal squeezing as should never become disheartened we can much from life is; When he was diagnosed never lose hope. in October 2012 he was told by his doctor “you have weeks, you may have months sallux 10 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe but you won’t be here next year”, and roll for great purpose. More and more people onto May 1st 2013 when he was in bed up- are spending a way too much time on it, stairs and shouted down to me to come up playing games or going between the var- quickly, I ran up the stairs with my heart in ious platforms of social media to ensure my mouth and when I reached the room he they’re up to date with, what their friends was lying there on his pillows smiling and are doing, back in the day what we called said “ Mom do you know today is the first this “gossip”. This leads to loss of sleep, a day of May, fuck the doctors Mom I made key factor in maintains good mental health, some it to the Summer.” it also leads to loss of communication, mood swings, loneliness and a loss of real He was weak and in pain but he beat the friends. By educating we can ensure that odds and shouldn’t we all be given the the trend of spending long hour on the In- chance to beat the odds. Talking with his ternet could be curtailed while also ensur- doctors after, they said he got an extra 3 ing that people are getting out there and months of life through his determination socially interacting with their family, friends to live. and communities. Personally I fear for the loss of communication in our youth and by I know Donal had no fear of dying, in fact that I mean the quick wit, the banter and in some aspect I’d go as far as saying he the smart reply, Donal had this in spades looked forward to the conversation he have and it is one of the things I miss most about with God, I’d loved to have been the fly on him. Young people have a natural ability to that wall, because God would be answer- learn and communicate and it is this that ing some tough questions, but he just re- must be nurtured in the natural way of life. ally wanted to live, he said one time to me when he was in a wheel chair “Mom I’d In my eulogy at Donal’s funeral I started by live with all the pain if I could just live till I saying Abraham Lincoln once said “It’s not was 80”. The odds were against Donal but the years in your life that count, it’s the life what time he was given he used to try and in your years”. improve the quality of life for his friends, the people of Tralee, teenagers and with the If we can encourage our young people, the help of RTE the people of Ireland. future of Ireland, to invest in Education, Faith and Responsible Communication at a In today’s world and here in Ireland edu- very young age for the years in their lives, I cation has some challenges; the Internet feel we will have more confident, more in- can be used very effectively and for great formed, more tolerant and a more creative good but the use of the Internet by both teenager in the Ireland of the future. With adults and youth has to be monitored by every new day comes new life, new hopes, parents and also by oneself. We all know new taught’s, new strengths and these are it is part of the future and won’t be going theirs for the taking. away but by educating and example we can teach people how to use it effectively and Going forward it up to us as adults, parents sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 11 and guardians to ensure they have every not guide and encourage their education, opportunity to use these tools for the great- faith and hope in their future and the future er good of humanity. This generation has of Ireland. We must encourage parents and the opportunity to progress in a confident, guardians to take on this responsibility in a meaningful and positive way into the future serious and proactive way, from the child’s that we could only have dreamed of. This is first steps and on into adulthood. They will our job as parents and guardians. We are thank us, if we do it right. not meant to be their friends. It is up to us to set boundaries and encourage them to Thank you but now like all good Kerry speak out with truth and clarity and stand mammies I will leave the last words to my up for their beliefs. son and read one of those letters he came to prominence with: We as adults will have failed them if we do

Mountains be honourable if I was not honoured to be here. I live in a part of the world that is surround- ed by mountains. I can’t turn my head with- I am me. There is no other way of putting it, out finding a bloody hill or mountain and I little old Donal Walsh from Tralee, one body, suppose those were Gods plans for me. To one mind with a few other cobwebs and have me grow up around mountains and tales thrown in. I’ve climbed Gods moun- grow climbing a few too. And that’s exact- tains, faced many struggles for my life and ly what I’ve done, I may have grown up in dealt with so much loss. And as much as I’d body around them but I’ve fully grown and love to go around to every fool on this plan- matured in mind climbing His Mountains. et and open there eyes to the mountains He’s had me fight cancer three times, face that surround them in life I can’t. But may- countless deaths and losses in my life, He’s be if I shout from mine they’ll pay attention. had my childhood dreams taken off me but at the end of the day He’s made a man. If I start to accept these compliments I’m afraid of what I’ll become. Will I be brav- I am always called brave, heroic, kind, gen- er than YE? Will I be kinder than YE? More uine, honourable and so many other kind genuine than YE? Or more honourable than compliments but I have to try explain to YE? Better than YE? No. I can never accept everyone why I seem to reject them. I have that there is a YE. We are all the same, we never fought for anyone but myself there- are all given one body, one mind. The only fore I cannot be brave or heroic, I’ve only difference for me is that I’m looking from been kind because my religion has thought the mountain. me so, what impact could I ever make on the world if I was fake or how could I ever Donal Walsh sallux 12 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe Future Leaders Programme Preparing Pro-Life Leaders to play a role in Ireland and Europe

Many young people became politically and medical issues in pregnancy. Partici- active to protect unborn babies and their pants learn to place this in the framework mothers during the abortion referendum of domestic and international legal issues campaign in 2018. Building on this youth- surrounding the right to life. ful dynamism, and to equip them to ad- vance the cause of life, the PLC Academy Participants are prepared to be able to has been established. The Future Leaders develop logically sound and emotionally Programme and the Media and Commu- compelling arguments aimed at promot- nications Programme make this project ing the right to life. Effective communica- concrete. tion includes of course social media and a convincing personal communication style Through the Future Leaders Programme, in person and in writing. young people are equipped to act in Europe and Ireland. This is not a mere activist message that can simply be hammered home. It is a matter The Future Leaders Programme educates of compassion with the weak and vulnera- participants to be effective. In today’s Eu- ble. Appreciation of the challenges faced by rope, the EU and Ireland are very inter- parents with an unplanned pregnancy and woven in many issues. Therefore under- awareness of the supports available to them standing the political system and political is part of the Future Leaders Programme. activism in Ireland and the EU is key. Par- The ultimate goal is creating a compas- ticipants are educated in the EU and Irish sionate culture for life that gives practical political institutions and how dedicated support for those facing unplanned preg- people can influence and assert their dem- nancies. ocratic right to participate in European and Irish decision-making. This time asks for a new generation of ef- fective and compassionate young leaders Obviously understanding the political sys- in Ireland and Europe and the PLC Acade- tem for political activism is only useful if my aims to support them. you have a clear message that you want to and can communicate. This is why there is The inaugural Future Leaders Programme a clear focus on the basics of human digni- (FLP), organised by the Pro Life Campaign, ty and understanding of “the facts of life” was an intensive 6 week training course for – biological development of the unborn young people in Ireland, to equip them to sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 13 be able to be future pro-life leaders. It was The speakers which were selected were held in Dublin during September-Novem- world class pro-life advocates, and national ber 2019. Irish pro-life leaders. They included: • Josh Brahm (Equal Rights Institute) The course received very positive feedback • Michael Wee (Anscombe Centre for Bio- from the participants, and the high calibre ethics) of the participants was noted and com- • Lorcan Price BL mented on by the speakers and present- • Dr Berry Kiely ers. The encouraging results from this first course led the organisers to commence a Who? second course in another Irish city (Galway) The participants were a mixture of students 2 months later. and young professionals from across the disciplines of philosophy, law, finance poli- What? tics, healthcare, and the arts. The course was carefully designed by two long-time Irish pro-life advocates, a barris- Review ter and lecturer in marketing. Overall, the initial FLP was a success

The programme of the course included The main positive achievements were: presentations, discussion and interactive • Identifying the brightest young advo- seminars on the following topics: cates, and bringing them into close con- • Pro-Life Philosophy - the philosophical tact with the leadership of the Pro Life status of the embryo Campaign • Communicating the pro-life message • Giving young people access world-lead- with passion and civility ers in the pro-life field. • Pro-Life Apologetics • The use of both technology and live • Clinical & Medical Issues relating to presentations in a conference venue Abortion & Women’s Health in preg- worked very well. nancy • Domestic Irish legal challenges and op- portunities, Freedom of Conscience • European & International legal chal- lenges and opportunities • The Psychological Impact of abortion on women • A palliative care physician’s case against Euthanasia • Practical supports for unplanned preg- nancies • Communicating the pro-life message in the media sallux 14 ECPM FOUNDATION Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe prolife campaign

The Pro Life Campaign is a non-denomi- internationally as one of the key pro-life national human rights organisation, draw- victories of the past 40 years. A recent inde- ing its support from a cross-section of Irish pendent actuarial report concluded that the society. The Campaign promotes pro-life 8th Amendment was responsible for saving education and defends human life at all the lives of over 100,000 babies. stages, from conception to natural death. It also campaigns for resources to support In the campaign to keep the 8th Amend- and assist pregnant women and those in ment during 2017/2018, the Pro Life Cam- need of healing after abortion. paign played a huge role under the Love- Both banner. Since the referendum was The Pro Life Campaign was established passed, the Campaign continues to work in 1992. The founding members were key towards the restoration of full legal protec- members of the Pro Life Amendment Cam- tion for unborn babies in Ireland, greater paign which organised and campaigned awareness of the amazing development of successfully for the Eighth Amendment of life in the womb, and increased supports the Constitution (Article 40.3.3) in 1983. The for women and families facing unplanned Amendment which protected the right to or difficult pregnancies. life of the unborn child and ensured that women received all necessary medical treatments when pregnant was regarded sallux Pro-Life in Ireland and Europe ECPM FOUNDATION 15

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@Sallux_Official sallux SalluxThinktank ECPM FOUNDATION www.sallux.eu Towards a Relational Europe