Sinn Fein’s ‘act of sacrilege’ by invoking name of God while giving blessing to abortion

Anne McCloskey, a councillor in Londonderry, medical doctor, and vocal anti-abortion activist, was speaking after Sinn Fein publicised a video online to mark 104 years since the doomed uprising in Dublin took place.

The video involves top party figures reading out the historic Proclamation of the Irish Republic, drawn up by the republican rebels as a declaration of independence.

It begins with Sinn Fein deputy president Michelle O’Neill reading: “Irishmen and Irishwomen – In the name of God and of the dead generations from which she receives her old tradition of nationhood, Ireland, through us, summons her children to her flag and strikes for her freedom.”

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson then goes on to solemnly intone: “We place the cause of the Irish Republic under the protection of the Most High God, whose blessing we invoke upon our arms, and we pray that no one who serves that cause will dishonour it by cowardice, inhumanity, or rapine.”

Under Ms O’Neill’s leadership Sinn Fein has become a very strongly pro-choice party, distancing itself from Catholic doctrine (in addition to shunning the church’s stance on gay and transgender issues).

This has caused public rifts between Sinn Fein and many observant Catholics.

For example ex-Sinn Fein MLA Francie Brolly launched a stinging attack on his former party in the wake of its 2018 ard fheis, when it officially changed party policy in support of abortion.

And earlier this year a Catholic priest cancelled a planned Sinn Fein event on church property in Co Tyrone, stating this was “in light of their recent behaviour regarding the abortion debate” – and adding he is not minded to ever allow the party to use Catholic property again.

Within Sinn Fein, Ms Anderson has been one of the more forceful voices when it comes to its pro-choice direction.

For example she had told delegates at the 2018 ard fheis that there was no room for differing views on abortion within the party rank-and-file, saying “there is absolutely no space for a conscience clause – this is a cop out when it comes to standing up for the rights of women”.

She then roared “the north is next!” (in reference to the recent liberalisation of abortion law in the Republic).

Reacting to the video, Dr McCloskey pointed out that the anti-abortion pressure group Cherish All the Children Equally, which she helped to found, takes its name from the very same 1916 proclamation.

A member of pro-life republican party Aontu, Dr McCloskey said the video was “sacrilegious” adding: “Sinn Fein have moved so far away from the sentiments of the people of 1916, who were Christian, and wanted Catholic, Protestant and dissenter to have a country where life was respected.

“They have no respect for ‘The Most High God’. We know the basis of Christian philosophy is people are made in the image and likeness of God.”