I felt uneasy when I first read the article regarding the late termination of a 24 week unborn baby.

The following questions now cross my mind: How did the Rev Joanna find out about this case? Is there some formal procedure by which such cases are deliberated over by the Church?

Did the parents themselves seek advice and support from the Church? If they did, then I feel they have been badly let down when their tragic loss is opened for public debate and judgement.

How can anyone criticise these people who cannot defend themselves? We do not know their situation or the full medical facts. No couple would wish to be faced with such a dilemma.

Is the Rev Joanna now going public as she failed to get satisfaction from the Police (who had sought advice before they made their decision)?

Understandably, she feels strongly on the issue of late termination in such cases, but did she really need to gain mileage from others' loss and suffering?

Surely she could have raised this issue another way. I understand she is now giving TV interviews. Is she using this case to address personal issues?

All I keep thinking of is the upset caused to the family endured as this is publicly played out.

They cannot defend themselves and remain anonymous.

It also opens up the wider issue of neo-natal screening.

If her argument is logically followed through, then there is no point in screening as the results would not then be used to make informed choices.

Things have progressed. We cannot pick and choose which bits of progress we like.

We all marvel at the advances that enable premature babies to survive, who would surely have died 30 years ago; then condemn the same advances that give choices. Life is never straightforward and decisions never easy.

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