On May 25, Ireland’s longstanding policy to protect the right to life of children in the womb came to an end when Irish voters overwhelmingly chose to repeal the country’s 8th constitutional amendment, replacing it with new language that grants the government the authority to legalize abortion.
In light of this historic vote, Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International—a network of over 2,500 affiliated pregnancy help organizations worldwide—is reaching out to Ireland’s pro-life leaders to offer encouragement and support as the country prepares to face the same tragic fate America has faced since Roe v. Wade was decided 45 years ago.
In an open letter, Godsey shares what he believes is the key to saving lives in Ireland going forward.
“Effective pregnancy help outreach is the most important thing to accomplish in between, and in parallel to, political skirmishes,” writes Godsey. “The women who will be at-risk for abortion in the coming weeks and months simply can't wait for the political situation to get straightened out. Take it from your friends in the States. We've been at this for 40 plus years and the only consistently positive gains in countering abortion over those years is the work of pregnancy help center outreach.”
Speaking to Ireland’s pregnancy help community, Godsey offered support going forward.
“We stand with you, prayerfully and practically,” writes Godsey. “We've learned a lot about taking on Big Abortion in our country. Now, more than ever, it's important for like-minded, life-minded, Christ-minded peoples to stand together.”
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Read the full letter below:
Dear Friends,
Last week, the wicked will of the Irish voters followed the pattern found in Scripture where, "In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." (Judges 17:6)
We mourn this loss with you.
There is no silver lining to be found. However, there is another pattern in Scripture to lean on. In the book of 2 Corinthians (Chapter 4:8-9), Saint Paul notes, "We are pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."
It's also important to remember that the church of the New Testament was strengthened through persecution. Scattered from Jerusalem meant greater impact across the known world.
There are still political avenues to pursue. But those take time to effectively unfold. Even then, many are, and will remain, disillusioned with the political climate that allowed this defeat.
We are "struck down, but not destroyed."
Now is the time to intentionally renew the importance of a prudent practical response to the change in the law, even while political hand-wringing continues. The shift to an abortion culture in Ireland, as you know, will further objectify women, encourage irresponsible sex, and, of course, place women and babies at risk for abortion.
Effective pregnancy help outreach is the most important thing to accomplish in between, and in parallel to, political skirmishes. The women who will be at-risk for abortion in the coming weeks and months simply can't wait for the political situation to get straightened out. Take it from your friends in the States. We've been at this for 40 plus years and the only consistently positive gains in countering abortion over those years is the work of pregnancy help center outreach.
Let me encourage you to see the discouragement fellow pro-lifers have in the leaders of the country and the politics as an opportunity to engage them in what can make real impact—one life at a time. It's not as glamorous a win as a constitutional protection of life, but it is necessary for the lives now at risk.
We stand with you, prayerfully and practically. We've learned a lot about taking on Big Abortion in our country. We'd be honored and privileged to help with next steps in Ireland. Now, more than ever, it's important for like-minded, life-minded, Christ-minded peoples to stand together. Let us know how we can help.
Prayerfully,
Jor-El Godsey
President
Heartbeat International
