Niall Meehan (January 17) will recognise physics and metaphysics colliding when the ethics of abortion is discussed. Einstein said: Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.As a 1980s atheist teenager I favoured the pro-abortion position with a now discredited scientific theory, called Haeckels embryos, seeming to support early abortion. The study of human embryology as a medical student made me start to question the legitimacy of unrestricted abortion beyond a couple of months. The developing human form from two to three months into pregnancy cannot be denied.

Working in an obstetrics department involved scanning unborn humans; and gave me opportunity to see the developing foetus on ultrasound scan, with an obvious beating heartbeat separate from the mothers. The depth of emotional distress experienced by women suffering early pregnancy miscarriages informed me of a meaningful relationship between mother and child. A devout Catholic junior doctor housemate discussed in depth and detail the moral and scientific arguments against abortion. Donal sowed spiritual seeds which further sprouted when I went to work in the Scottish Gaeltacht as a GP.

Studying the science and ethics of abortion drew me to religious faith, and I decided to cease making NHS referrals for abortion. Many HSE GPs in the south wisely abstain from abortion involvement. NHS GPs in the north should do likewise. Amazing modern colour images on the CBRUK website instantly reveal a range of disturbing truths that pro-abortion politicians are too terrified to ever discuss. The clamour to fix exclusion zones outside abortion centres bears witnesses to the need for censorship. A CBRUK website section, The Facts-Human Development, equips ordinary people to oppose abortion using social media platforms. Knowledge is power, and we should share it.

Fr Eugene ONeill in Coalisland can have every confidence that his bold witness on behalf of the unborn child will bear fruit. St Paul tells us: Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. My friend Donal, who introduced me to the pro-life world view in depth, went on to have a very distinguished career in Irish medicine and completed Masters level degree study in medical ethics.Niall Meehan is wrong when he says: The words of men, however eminent, should be secondary to those who are pregnant.Knowledge of medicine and ethics, not a persons gender, determines their ability to give an expert opinion on the morality of abortion.

TJ HARDYBelfast BT5

Termination of children in the womb not justifiable under any circumstances

Responding to my letter Niall Meehan cites the X case and the tragedy of Savita Hallapanavar in a further attempt to justify abortion (December 27).

It is vital to this debate to bear in mind that we are dealing with real human lives, both born and unborn.

The X case concerns an act of abuse, perpetrated against an innocent child that resulted in her becoming pregnant. So you are dealing now with two children a 13-year-old girl and an unborn boy or girl.

There were two child victims in the X case both equally innocent.

In the case of Savita Hallapanavar, the law as it stood then in Ireland provided for an abortion in her particular circumstances to save her life. Inexplicably the hospital failed her.

Pro-abortion forces have shamelessly and cynically manipulated the sad case of Savita for their purposes of the liberal abortion regime in Ireland they were demanding and have now obtained, through the repeal of the 8th amendment.

The unborn child is now entirely at the mercy of so-called choice.Let me assure Niall Meehan not just I personally but very many people in Ireland, north and south that we will never accept the deliberate termination of children in the womb as justifiable under any circumstances.

We will work ceaselessly to oppose abortion and to persuade society that intentional abortion is never a solution, never an action that should be advocated by a humane and just society.

FR PATRICK McCAFFERTYBelfast BT12

Romantic meandering

Patrick Murphy Dissident Sinn Fin, IRA of 1970 lost great Irish opportunity (January 11) focuses on the events of the 1970s. The split a peace loving republican movement and a civil rights movement that would transform the six counties and indeed Ireland.

Where Mr Murphys article falls very short (has he a selective memory?) is the period before the 1970s.May I remind him of partition, Gerrymandering and bigotry that went before the 1970s. May I remind him of Malvern Street and Silent Valley? May I remind him of the civil rights marches that were met by such ferocity.All Mr Murphys article reflects is a finger-pointing piece targeting republicans that said no to a two-state nation led by the likes of MacGiolla. They saw the sectarian state in the raw, not through some rose-tinted glasses. There was not going to be a great Irish opportunity. What we had was a festering mess that Bernadette Devlin would say it was not a question of if but when it needed confronted.Mr Murphys romantic meandering are just that.

MANUS McDAIDDerry City

In the spirit of compromise

I noticed in the details of the historical and wonderful new power sharing Assembly at Stormont the British union flag will be allotted three additional days on which it can be flown from public buildings. In the spirit of compromise and equality can anyone say how many new days will be allotted to the flying of the Tricolour from these same public buildings?

COLM LONGDunmurry, Co Antrim

Call time on this mess

How can one maintain a good working relationship with a partner without mutual respect?

The new agreement in a peace process which has outlived the Troubles here is built on sand. The two main parties remain hell-bent on mocking, insulting, humouring and ridiculing each other. Add the increasing foreign influences on our respective cultures to the mix and we have a society with no moral and political fabric. Call time on this mess.

DESMOND DEVLINArdboe, Co Tyrone

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