Brady-West

The chairman for the Coalition of Defence for Life, Dr Doreen Brady-West, has revealed that she's being made to feel uncomfortable around some other doctors because of her campaign against abortion.

"Many of my colleagues have a difference of opinion about it, so they may be uncomfortable about the things that I am saying because as we know in Jamaica, it is doctors who do the most abortion," said Brady-West. "When you speak against abortion, you may be perceived as speaking about those who do them," she added.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable from the point of view that some persons might feel that I am judging them, and that I am speaking out against them but in fact I am not doing that, I am speaking out for something," declared the chairman for the group that is opposing abortion. Contrary to her feelings though, her husband Dr Wayne West, who is a member of the coalition, says he has never felt uncomfortable around other colleagues. "I don't recall having any episode with anybody at all," he said.

But Brady-West maintained that she still enjoys healthy relationships with some of her colleagues, as she meets with and speaks with them to try and overcome it. "It works because we speak respectfully, we don't call people's names we don't insult, we speak the truth in love and respect for other people's points of view. But we speak the truth and as Bob Marley said, 'The truth is an offence but it's never a sin'," she declared.

While Brady-West has that situation, Rev Monsignor Kenneth Richards says he is not as sensitive, and an issue such as that would have a different impact on him. "I don't have that kind of sensitivity on whether or not people accept me. It doesn't put any undue pressure on me." He says he respects the opinions of others, who oppose his ideas, and will not treat them any different as a human being if he does not share their views.

Stance

Richards says, however, that he can understand why Brady-West is being criticised. "By virtue of the fact that she has maintained a stance, persons for one reason or another may withdraw from her," he said. Richards noted that the chairman is dedicated to her cause and very aggressive about what she is doing, so it might be a reason for others to relate to her that way.

Father Richard Ho Lung of the Corpus Christi Monastery echoed Richards' sentiments, but noted that the medics might be opposed to her as they would get monetary benefits from the legalisation of abortion.

Nonetheless, Father Ho Lung, who also opposes abortion, says he does not feel any pressure from others. "I certainly don't feel uncomfortable among people any at all because I am answerable to God and I cannot ever say yes to murder," he said.

kimesha.walters@gleanerjm.com