Irish Times presentation of latest poll on abortion “grossly distorted”, says Pro Life Campaign
The presentation by The Irish Times of today’s Ipsos MRBI poll on abortion was “grossly distorted”, according to the Pro Life Campaign. In its analysis of the poll results, The Irish Times states that public support for abortion legislation has risen from 23% in 1997 to 71% today.
Ms Sherlock said: “This is a completely distorted and inaccurate presentation. The 1997 MRBI poll which The Irish Times claims showed only 23% support for abortion actually found 77% of people supported abortion in a variety of circumstances, depending on how the question was asked. However, like the poll published in today’s Irish Times, it made no distinction between abortion and necessary medical treatments in pregnancy.
“The 23% mentioned by The Irish Times was just one of the findings in a multiple choice question that included other categories of support for abortion. “Five years later, in 2002, when the electorate had an actual choice to make in a referendum, 49% voted YES to row back on the X case ruling. An IMS poll conducted just afterwards found an additional 5% voted NO on pro-life grounds. “In other words, despite findings like the one cited by The Irish Times from 1997 and the latest Ipsos MRBI poll, when the people have an actual democratic choice, a clear majority rejects abortion.”
Ms Sherlock concluded: “Polls showing high levels of support for abortion are nothing new. Whenever the question suppresses the distinction between induced abortion (that targets the life of the baby) and necessary medical treatments to preserve the life of the mother (where every reasonable effort is made to save the life of the baby), the results show high support for abortion. Such polls, however, significantly under represent the opposition among the electorate and create an inflated perception of the extent of public support for abortion.”
This a article is from a News Release by the Pro Life Campaign on the 11th February, 2013
Thank you for the €1,404 which you donated to last Sunday’s collection for the Support of Priests of the Parish (& Dioceses) and for the Share Collection which amounted to €1.003.
Trocaire boxes are available at the back of the church. Please collect one on your way out.
There are copies of a booklet for children called ‘Day by Day, Junior, Lent 2013’ available on the Parish book stand. This publication is suitable for children and could be a useful resource in helping children to understand Lent and prepare for Easter.
MILLTOWN PARISH ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP is having a health Talk on ‘Arthritis’ in the Parish Pastoral Centre at 2.30pm on this Tuesday, Feb. 19th. The speaker will be from the Arthritic Association
PRAYER WITH SCRIPTURE:
This Parish Group continues to meet during Lent at 8pm on Tuesday evenings in the Parish Pastoral Centre. They extend an open the invitation to anyone who wishes to join them.
LENTEN LECTURES:
For this Lent, instead of having a series of Lenten Lectures here in the Parish we are encouraging parishioner to attend the following Lenten lectures in Milltown Park: What has happened to Vatican II? This Wednesday’s lecture is ‘Vatican 11 and World Church: A New Paradigm’. The lecturer is Kirsteen Kim from Leeds Trinity University. Further details on this series of talks are on our Parish Notice Boards
LITURGY GROUP MEETING:
the Parish Liturgy group will meet at 8pm on Thursday, Feb. 21st
The following items were discussed at the January meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council:
Child Protection and Garda Vetting, World Youth Day and the proposed Parish Census
FOCOLAIRE ON THE MOVE!
We are blessed to have a Focolaire Group in our Parish. One of its members, Irene Jovaras, is going to pastures new. We wish Irene every blessing in her new ministry and thank her for all her help in our parish during her stay in Milltown.
FINAL CALL FOR YOUNG PARISHIONER TO ATTEND WORLD YOUTH DAY!
World Youth day is a celebration of young people and their Catholic faith. In 2013, it comes to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. More information on this World Youth Day is available at: www.rio2013.com. The parish is willing to part sponsor 2 young people who wish to travel to this year’s World Youth Day in Rio. One name has already been received. If you are interested in attending this World Youth Day please contact Fr. Philip as those traveling need to be registered as soon as possible.
Next Sundays 10am Mass is part of the ‘Do this in Memory of Me Programme’. This Mass is for children who will be receiving their First Holy Communion here on Sun., May 13th. We welcome the children and their families to our Sunday Mass.
MILLTOWN PARISH BRIDGE CLUB
Parish members are invited to apply for membership of the bridge club. There are a limited number of places now available. Players of all standard are welcome. Play night is Wednesday of each week from 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. approximately. Unfortunately there are no lessons available for beginners.
Lenten Talks in Ballinteer Parish:
A series of Lenten talks has commenced in the Oratory, St. John the Evangelist Church, Ballinteer Avenue. The talks are given by Dr. Patrick Mullins O.Carm and take place on Thurs. evenings from 8pm to 9pm.On Thurs. next, Feb. 21st the talk will be ‘Renewing the church in the Year of Faith’. ‘Professing our Faith in Public’ is the title of the talk on Feb. 28th and the final talk on 7th March is called ‘Followers of Jesus, the Pioneer of our Faith’.
REDEMPTORIST COMMUNICATIONS (Marianella, Orwell Rd. Rathgar) have arranged a training day for parishioners who wish to become involved in Children’s Liturgies in their own parishes. This course will take place in Rathgar on Sat. 23rd Feb. from 10.30am to 4pm. Please contact the Parish office if you wish to attend this training day
FAMILY LITURGY GROUP: Parents of young children are invited to attend a meeting after the 10am Mass on Sun. Mar. 3rd..We will be continuing our discussion on a Parish Family Mass/ Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
ANOITING OF THE SICK (for those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age) will take place in this Parish on Sun., March 3rd.
NOVENA OF GRACE will commence in Milltown Parish and our twinned Parish of Clonskeagh on Mon., Mar. 4th and will continue until Tuesday, March 12th.
Events taking place at Orlagh Centre: A series of three talks on Abraham and Our Ancestors in Faith: Key Moments in Genesis 12-50. will commence on Tuesday February 19th at 7.30pm. For further information please contact Fr. John Byrne OSA:
Tel:495-8190 / info@orlagh.ie www.orlagh.ie.
