The Church of Ireland always disapproved of the Constitution as a means of dealing with an issue as complex as the case of the 13-year-old rape victim, Canon Kenneth Kearon said yesterday. The canon, from a west Dublin parish, stressed that his statement was personal but believed it was consistent with Church of Ireland thinking.
He was concerned that in the case, apart from those most closely involved with the victim and her family in consultation with medical, psychological and spiritual advisers, other groups were apparently attempting to influence the decision on a termination.
He said his church had always opposed abortion, and abhorred its use as an alternative to contraception or as a way of ending an unwanted pregnancy.
That said, however, it had always accepted that in exceptional cases a situation might arise where a termination might have to be an option - if, for example, it was clear that the pregnancy posed a medical threat to the mother's life or where it was clear that the foetus if born would not survive.
Canon Kearon said some in the church would also include pregnancy after rape, especially if the victim was young. It should only ever be an option, however, not automatic.
If a termination was contemplated, it should take place as early as possible in the pregnancy. No one would approve of abortion close to viability and most would set a much earlier latest date.
"With respect to the case currently before the courts in the Republic, concern would have to be expressed about the way this is being handled. We have always disapproved of the Constitution as a means of dealing with such a very complex issue," Canon Kearon said.
They had disapproved even more of the use of the courts to make such decisions in individual cases.
"If a termination is to be considered in this particular case, that decision should be taken by those most closely involved with the victim in consultation with medical, psychological and spiritual advisers who know the victim and her family well. The apparent attempt by other groups to influence that decision must be a cause for concern," he added.
Canon Kearon is a former canon of Christ Church Cathedral and an author