Sir, - Muredach Doherty's letter (July 11th), can only be described as abusive, aggressive and gratuitously offensive! Unfortunately, due to an effective campaign of euphemistic language there are women (and men) not sufficiently aware that abortion is the destruction of innocent life in the womb of the mother.
Reasons simply do not exist to justify abortion however seriously a woman has considered such a dreadful act.
Denoted by your correspondent is the obvious fact that abortion concerns others besides women, most significantly the unborn child and I dare to challenge the alleged right of a woman to choose abortion because the unborn child has a real right, an inalienable right, the right to life.
Examination of this right to life demonstrates that it is fundamental, and antecedent to any so-called right of the mother to choose. Indeed there is no such latter right despite Muredach Doherty's claims to the contrary just as there is no such thing as an 'anti-choice lobby' but a pro-life movement.
Relating to my opposition to abortion taking place in Ireland, on Irish women and children, let me be clear in stating that I am equally opposed to the dirty and deplorable work of abortion taking place on any woman, on any child, in any jurisdiction. - Yours, etc.,
Fr John M. Cunningham, Collegio San Clemente, Via Labicana, Rome.