Sir, - The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, says that there is never a case to be made in favour of abortion. So its now clear that those pregnant through rape by their brother or father should continue to term with the pregnancy. It is the church's teaching that all sexual intercourse should be open to procreation; this obviously includes rape.
During the divorce referendum the archbishop said over and over again that all children needed both their parents. Anything else wasn't good enough. Now any conditions will do for conception. Is he seriously suggesting that girls and women should carry to term pregnancies for men they don't know, don't like or fear greatly? That proposition would make a lovely little referendum. I wonder what percentage of Irish abortions are victims of incest or rape? - Yours, etc.,
Calderwood Road, Dublin 9.