A Chara, - Fintan O'Toole makes a compelling argument against a return to the days when divorce was prohibited, homosexuality was illegal and condoms were banned (Opinion, June 18th). However, his diatribe fails quite spectacularly when he tries to link these matters, arguably matters of conscience, with the issue of abortion - quite plainly a matter of life and death and therefore of far more consequence and importance.
Mr O'Toole reveals himself as yet another disciple of the so-called liberal agenda, believing that his espousal of a pro-abortion view will entitle him to membership of this cool club, indeed assuming that such a view is necessary for its membership. Let me enlighten him: There is nothing "liberal" about a pro-abortion stance.
I have always been a staunch supporter of the free availability of condoms and a strong advocate of gay rights and the decriminalisation of homosexuality. I led the campaign within Fianna Fail in Roscommon for a "Yes" vote for the introduction of divorce, in spite of the "No" camp being headed by my local TD. I have not attended Mass in over 12 years so I don't give a damn about the view of the Catholic church on abortion or any of these matters. But as a non-practising Catholic with a very liberal outlook on life, and more importantly as someone with the education, the life-experience and the knowledge to know what I am talking about, I am fiercely, utterly adamantly and incontrovertibly opposed to abortion under all circumstances.
The place for an attack on abortion is not here as the debate is only now recommencing. This, I welcome heartily. And indeed it is curious to observe erstwhile promoters of free-speech bemoaning a debate on such a massively important subject. But the people's voice must be heard. And while the labelling of all anti-abortion activists as anti-divorce, anti-gay, conservative Catholic nutters is certainly a good strategic tactic, I hope no-one is under the illusion that it is accurate. - Is mise,
David Carroll, MPSI, Castle Gate, Castle Street, Dublin 2.