It appears as though Pro Life protesters who claimed that they’d “never, ever” give up on keeping Ireland as abortion free as possible, are keeping their word.
There’s been mixed reactions to white coffin protests that they’ve held in recent days where they laid small white coffins at the doors of the National Maternity Hospital to indicate the deaths of babies who were abortion there.
Now Pro Life protesters are set to up their game and hold a “big funeral procession” outside hospitals where abortions take place. It’s understood that these funeral processions will be similar size to a real funeral, including a hearse.
After a week-long media furore, there was some speculation that there could be a heated confrontation outside Holles Street Hospital on Saturday night. Our Lady of Lourdes Protectors had publicly stated that they “would continue” to use the white coffins at their weekly “Rosary of Reparation”. Some of those opposed to these tactics promised a counter-demonstration and called for them to “be stopped.”
Those looking for a sensational story, however, were disappointed. The prayer vigil passed peacefully. About thirty attended and prayed, many kneeling, for an hour. Notable for their absence were the little white coffins.
Three professional photographers circled the gathering, looking slightly bemused. Their photo opportunity had vanished – there wasn’t even a counter-demonstration. A very small group of about six or seven, who perhaps had planned such a picket, congregated quietly across the road.
So what happened? Charles Byrne, a spokesman for the Lourdes Protectors, told The Liberal “our first aim is to pray to God in reparation for the sin of abortion. We had credible information that there might have been trouble, and so, in order to avert any possible conflict, we decided not to use the coffins on this occasion. They remain a powerful symbol and are already rooted in the minds of those who think about abortion in Holles Street Hospital.”
When asked if the coffins would be used again, Mr Byrne replied, “definitely. We are even thinking of holding a big funeral procession for the thousands of helpless, innocent, babies killed so far by abortion in this country.”