Shame is the name New Zealand wears this day, after last night refusing any legal right to medical care of our nation's smallest citizens; of babies born alive, in terrible pain, after botched abortions.
80 MPs voted against the potentially life-saving amendment and three didn't bother to vote at all. So in future, doctors and nurses and assorted 'health professionals' will be fully entitled to ignore babies who survive attempted abortions, and simply leave them to die.
And what other victories did the death-dealing MPs score, last night? I'll tell you.
- Babies aborted after 20 weeks will not necessarily be given painkillers. Vets must give painkillers to animals, but doctors don't have to give painkillers to babies.
- You won't need a doctor, midwife or obstetric nurse to kill your baby. Any 'health professional' will do. Like, say, a chiropodist.
- Babies can be killed after 20 weeks for any old reason.
- Conscientious objection to killing babies may get you sacked, or not hired.
- Maori babies can be killed with no regard to cultural considerations consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi.
The one ray of sunshine on our darkened land last night was the defeat of the impudent "safe areas" proposal. People seeking to help women threatened with the death of their unborn child, or simply to warn them of the concomitant dangers, can still stand praying on public streets outside abortion facilities without danger of arrest and imprisonment.
The fury of our lady lawmakers on the News tonight, frustrated in their attempt to shut down our prayer and silent protest, was palpable. They'll be back to fight another day.
But the warriors of Christ can defeat them once more, by prayer.
"This kind (of devil) is not cast out but by prayer and fasting" (Mt 17, 20).
