Rome Rule is a term used by Northern Ireland Unionists (as a sarcastic reference to Home Rule) to describe a fear that the Roman Catholic Church would gain political control over them in the event of a United Ireland. The seeming end of Rome Rule began when the passage of an anti-abortion law was denied, against the wishes of the Catholic church, along with the allowance of divorce in the country. However, despite the apparent lessening of its power, the Roman Catholic Church still maintains a strong base on the island, maintaining control over multiple schools, hospitals, universities, and ethics committees in Northern Ireland.