Almost three out of four people responding to a public consultation have rejected a UK government proposal to require schools in Northern Ireland, including Catholic schools, to teach pupils how to access abortion.
Irish bishops warned in November that the plan would “impose an ideology of abortion” on local faith-based schools.
Although Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom, it has largely remained in place since the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement ended three decades of sectarian violence and created a Protestant-Catholic power-sharing government. has autonomy.
However, the government has been suspended since February 2022 due to political differences, and decisions are now made by British ministers.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted on updating the requirements for Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in the curriculum. Heaton-Harris said the regulation would ensure that students’ curricula include “comprehensive, age-appropriate and scientifically accurate education about sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the prevention of early pregnancy and access to abortion.” He argued that it would be an essential element.
The results of the consultation were made public on January 5, and revealed that there were a total of 13,461 responses.
The results showed that 73% of respondents opposed the government’s RSE programme. In total, 92% of respondents agreed that parents or carers should always be informed about the specific nature and content of the RSE program. Additionally, 96% said parents and carers should always be able to access and review their school’s RSE policies and programs.
In one of the first comments published on the Department for Education’s report, one parent/carer said: “I disagree that children should be explained about abortion options and the prevention of early pregnancy.”
The person added: “This may show them that they are being encouraged to strip away their innocence, experiment with sex from a young age, and have a ‘get out of jail free’ card if they become pregnant.” “Abortion is murder,” he added. Children should not be taught that as an option. ”
Bernadette Smith, director of pro-life charity Precious Life, said the response to the consultation had been “unprecedented”.
“This shows the strength of feeling among people in Northern Ireland on this issue,” she told OSV News.
Mr Smith said the UK government must “stop its complete disregard for democracy and devolution and its complete disregard for the views of the people of Northern Ireland”.
“We call on Heaton-Harris and the Government to listen to the 73% majority in Northern Ireland and remove this pro-abortion RSE program from schools,” she said. .
In November, Bishop Donal McCune of Derry said, “The expectation that schools should be involved in implementing a supposedly neutral curriculum that emphasizes access to abortion shows no understanding of the fundamental principles of Catholic education.” “This shows that they are not.”