The Renunciation is a performed reading that intervenes, respectfully, in the reflective space offered by the modern day Angelus. The stories here describe a set of social rituals for 12+ people from Ireland seeking abortions daily. Read aloud, the verses publicly present uncensored insights into lived experiences. Both rhythm and structure reference the Hail Mary prayer that commemorates the moment in which Mary exercised her agency in consenting to becoming pregnant. These verses highlight the detrimental consequences of
denying that same agency for others and disregarding our consent - in essence attempting to enforce pregnancy on us. The Renunciation challenges the double standards dictated by idealised notions of womanhood and mothering that
overlook present day realities and less-than-ideal circumstances.
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