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ss triple helix - summer 2016,  Life is the gift of God...

Life is the gift of God...

....but not according to the Royal College of Midwives
Review by Steve Fouch
CMF Head of Nursing

In May it came to light that for many years the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has been inextricably linked with the leading provider of abortions in the UK, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). (1) So much so that Cathy Warwick, the RCM's CEO is also the Chair of BPAS. This revelation followed on from the RCM's public support (2) for the BPAS led campaign to 'decriminalise' abortion - ie removing the few legal safeguards that still exist and allowing abortion up to birth for any reason. (3)

As this story came to light, so did the (very quiet) publication of the updated RCM Position Statement on Abortion. (4) It made it clear that midwives were obliged to be involved in all aspects of the care of women undergoing a termination of pregnancy. They were only allowed to opt out of the specific clinical procedures related to the abortion itself on conscience grounds. This directly follows on from the ruling of the Supreme Court in the Glasgow Midwives case last year. (5)

These positions by the RCM were taken with no reference to the membership or to the college's governing body. MPs, members of the public and midwives have all been incensed. They have been roundly criticised.

(6) (7) Cathy Warwick has sought to defend this position. But, given that the body for the profession (most involved with ensuring the safe births of children) is so closely allied with pro-abortion lobby groups, this position is proving increasingly difficult to defend. There are calls for a reversal of the policy and for Warwick to step down from at least one of her posts.

That a body whose motto is vita donum dei (life is the gift of God) should be taking such a pro-abortion stance reflects the widespread drift (and, increasingly, active departure) from Christian values. It is time for midwives and others to stand up and challenge this reversal of such fundamental values.

References
  1. UK midwives' chief refuses to resign amid furore over campaign for abortion up to birth. Life Site News, 17 May 2016
  2. Campaign launched to remove abortion from criminal law. RCM Online, 9 February 2016
  3. www.wetrustwomen.org.uk
  4. RCM Position Statement on Abortion, revised May 2016
  5. Taylor. Conscientious Objection and the worrying implications of the Glasgow midwives case. CMF Blogs, 17 December 2015
  6. Petrie A & Adams S. End the time limit for abortions, says midwives chief: Horror at plan to scrap 24-week cut-off and legalise all terminations up until birth. Daily Mail, 14 May 2016
  7. CMF boss calls for resignation in abortion row. Premier News Online, 16 May 2016
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