The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is disassociating itself from Cura, a Catholic crisis pregnancy support agency, due to “a failure to provide ‘full support’ for pregnant people when it comes to abortion and abortion support”.
In a statement released by the union today, USI President Michael Kerrigan said: “Cura only provides two options during pregnancy counselling, which can cause unnecessary pressure and lack of knowledge for people to make an informed choice about what to do in an unplanned pregnancy.”
“Cura does not provide contact details for abortion clinics, or information on abortion services and as a result it does not give full support for pregnant people or their partners. USI will be cutting all ties from now on until Cura faces the reality that abortions happen in Ireland, and that people need support here at home before, during and after an abortion.”
According to their website, the crisis pregnancy support agency provides counselling after the termination of a pregnancy and states that women may discuss the option of abortion with them, but will not provide any contact details for abortion services.
Cura is an agency of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, whose website states that Cura “upholds the right of every child to be born and to have his or her right to life recognised and respected”.
The USI is instead recommending the Irish Family Planning Association, Dublin Well Woman Centre and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.