The Story of Cura
Cura was established by the Irish Episcopal Conference in 1977, and is an agency of the Conference. Initially just five centres were established, and they operated a telephone-only counselling service for anyone dealing with a crisis or unplanned pregnancy through dedicated phone lines. Soon it became apparent that there was an additional need for face-to-face services, and in 1986 it was agreed to offer walk-in services and face-to-face counselling sessions. The centres now also offered centre-based pregnancy testing.
By 1994 Cura was providing support and counselling after an abortion, establishing a specialised training programme for post-abortion counsellors.
By the turn of the millennium there were 17 centres across the country. In 2001 the Crisis Pregnancy Agency was established, now the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme. Cura operates under the mandate of the Programme.
The organisation continues to grow and change with the times, in response to the needs of our clients, and in 2012 Cura began to officially offer support and counselling to mothers and fathers of infants, when the support to parents of a new baby service was launched.
Our Ethos – Background
Cura was founded by the Irish Bishops’ Conference, and the Cura Code of Ethics finds its origin and inspiration in the teaching of Christ.
The name of the organisation, Cura (the Latin word for CARE), is intended to express its purpose, to provide care for the mother and her unborn child.
Cura is a service agency of the Catholic Church, and works in accordance with the compassionate vision and teaching of the Church.
Cura respects the values and beliefs of its clients and through mutual respect their right to self-determination and the freedom to make a good and thoughtful decision.
Our Ethos in Practice
The Code of Ethics recognises the special objectives of Cura and the standard of excellence required to deliver a quality service of genuine caring and compassion to its clients and foster a spirit of professionalism and mutual respect within the organisation.
Cura acknowledges that all members must be non-judgemental and non-directive in their dealing with clients. All members must accept that they will never use their position to direct, coerce or manipulate clients.
The Role of Cura
Cura has specific objectives identified by its constitution, which states that Cura’s “first objective is to ensure that every woman who is unhappily pregnant has immediate and easy access to the help which she needs. To this end, Cura undertakes to provide a friendly, caring service in the form of information, counselling and referral.”
Such responsibilities are manifold. They include maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect, the duty of care, regard for the right of self-determination and the obligation of confidentiality.
Cura does not discriminate against or refuse a client on the basis of age, marital status, race, gender, religious or economic status.
Cura is not an advocacy or lobby group.