Abortion faces a historic trial in Ireland this week when legislators open debate on liberalizing a law that defines the procedure as murder.
After two years of delay, Ireland's parliament plans to consider a bill that would let Irish women get information on abortion services in neighboring England.Irish voters approved the principle in a 1992 referendum, but this is the first time lawmakers have considered easing the constitutional ban on abortion. They've been loath to touch an issue so explosive in the predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Ireland's ruling three-party coalition aims for unanimous support, but members of Fianna Fail, the largest political bloc, are considering restrictive amendments.
"This bill will pass," predicted its sponsor, Health Minister Michael Noonan. "Whether it will satisfy activists on either side is doubtful."
Noonan's bill sets narrow guidelines for disseminating abortion information. It would let Irish newspapers, magazines and broadcast media advertise English family-planning clinics, but only if the ads do "not advocate or promote abortion."
The Pro-Life Campaign, Ireland's leading anti-abortion group, says the bill is a first step toward legalizing abortion services within the Irish Republic and is "certain to foster an abortion culture."
Women's rights and pro-choice groups say, on the contrary, the bill demonstrates lawmakers' cowardice.
"We've waited two years for this? It's a legal mess and a disgrace," said Anne Taylor, president of the Council for the Status of Women in Ireland.
"Women cannot get access to information easily available elsewhere and cannot get any help in what is, for many, a prohibitively expensive journey overseas," Taylor said. "This bill does little to change that."
Each year, an estimated 5,000 women - representing nearly one in 10 pregnancies - cross the Irish Sea to get abortions in England, according to British government statistics.
Catholic traditionalists want to ensure that doctors aren't put in the position of referring women to abortion clinics; they want medical personnel to provide advice on all the alternatives.
If, after counseling, a pregnant woman still sees abortion as her best option, the proposed law would let the doctor provide the woman with a list of reputable clinics, but not to make a phone call or write a letter on her behalf.
In contrast to past political controversies - most notably the 1983 referendum that enshrined "the right to life of the unborn" in the constitution - the Roman Catholic hierarchy has avoided seeking to sway opinion.
"While we are the experts on the word of God," said Brendan Comiskey, bishop of Ferns in southeast Ireland, "the development of legislation in relation to abortion should be left to experts in the field" such as lawyers, nurses and doctors.
In November 1992, voters narrowly approved two parts of an abortion referendum, affirming a woman's right to receive information on overseas abortion services and to use them. They rejected a provision that would have allowed abortions within the country if the woman's life was deemed in danger.
That referendum came after a Dublin court ruled that a 14-year-old girl - molested by a family friend - could not fly to England for an abortion because that would violate the constitution.
After the girl threatened suicide, the Supreme Court overturned the decision, arguing it had to protect her life.