A PRIEST HAS resigned from the board of the Mater Hospital in Dublin following its decision to say it will comply with the government’s abortion legislation when it comes into effect.

Prominent Dublin priest Father Kevin Doran has told The Irish Catholic that he cannot reconcile his own conscience with a statement from the hospital last week that it will comply with the law.

“Largely because I feel a Catholic hospital has to bear witness,” he told the paper. “It’s about bearing witness to Gospel values alongside providing excellent care.”

Doran’s resignation from the Mater Hospital Board and Board of Governors comes ahead of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act 2013 coming into force, though this may not happen until next year as this website reported last week.

The Act will allow for abortions in cases where there is a risk to the life of a woman as a result of her pregnancy, including risk of suicide. It was passed and signed into law over the summer after lengthy debate in the Dáil, Seanad and wider society.

Meanwhile, The Irish Catholic also reports that that the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, is to see clarification from the hospital on the “exact meaning” of the statement from the Mater last week.

A spokeswoman told the paper: “He [Martin] believes the hospital has always been ‘scrupulous’ in trying to defend both the life of mother and the unborn child and the hospital has a great tradition of caring for very difficult pregnancies and doing it well within the ethos of the hospital over many years.

“He will seek further clarification on the exact meaning of the hospital’s statement issued last week.”

More: Abortion laws may not commence until next year

Read: Mater Hospital says it will comply with new abortion laws

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