Cura signs €2m deal with pregnancy agency

The Catholic support organisation, Cura, has negotiated a new three-year support services contract with the State's crisis pregnancy…

The Catholic support organisation, Cura, has negotiated a new three-year support services contract with the State's crisis pregnancy agency worth €2.2 million.

The deal with the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) will see Cura continuing to provide crisis pregnancy support services and post-abortion counselling.

However, the organisation will not be made distribute the Positive Optionsleaflet.

In June 2005, Catholic bishops asked Cura to stop supplying the leaflet, as it contained information that may have led to women being directed to abortion services.

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Under its contract with the CPA, Cura was required to refer women for further counselling to other State-funded agencies that do provide this information. It has since been referring women seeking information on abortion to their GPs.

Last month, it was said at the Irish Episcopal Conference that a new contract should not be signed with the CPA unless the church's "absolute" opposition to abortion was respected.

The new €2.2 million three-year service level agreement provides for the continuation of funding for Cura's services, with counsellors continuing to refer women to their GP for further options. "I am glad that service level agreement has been signed. This will help Cura to continue to provide care for those who experience a crisis in their pregnancy," Cura president Bishop John Fleming said.

The previous three-year deal between Cura and the CPA expired in June.

The new agreement outlines the services Cura will provide through its 16 branches in the Republic, and also sees new funding being made available for a post-natal support service.

Katharine Bulbulia, CPA chairwoman, said: "Through this agreement, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and Cura will work together to support women.

"Cura, as one of the longest established crisis pregnancy counselling support services in Ireland, has an important role to play and we look forward to working constructively with them."

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll is an Assistant News Editor with The Irish Times