Many ezine readers will be familiar with the Irish charity Concern, who raise millions each year to help with Third World programs. Now that charity has chosen to promote abortion campaigner Ivana Bacik as one of their “Women of Concern” – a decision that has angered Concern donors who have contacted the YD office to register their disquiet at the move.

“We were contacted by people who have given very generously to Concern in the past and who felt that the move to appoint Ms Bacik as a “Woman of Concern” was wholly inappropriate for two reasons: Firstly, she is an advocate of abortion on demand – the most widespread human rights violation in the world. Secondly, the aim of “Women for Concern” is to empower women, but Ms Bacik believes that to mean changing the law to introduce abortion, a position that would not be shared by the majority of Concern’s donors,” said Katie Robinson of YD.  

“I think Concern donors have the right to know whether or not Ms Bacik will have an influence on Concern’s policies and actions when it comes to issues such as abortion,” said Ms Robinson. “Concern says that ‘when a woman is healthy, educated, and empowered, she’s in a position to help herself, her family and her community’. We agree. But we also would ask them to remember that half of all babies killed by abortion are women denied even the right to life, that abortion harms mothers, and those who push to see the law protecting human life in Ireland and elsewhere struck down have no place in representing a charity such as Concern.”

The newly-launched Life Institute (previously the Mother and Child Campaign) will write to the charity this week to point out that the appointment is inappropriate.