Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin diocese has said he finds it “very difficult to see how any Catholic could, in good conscience, vote for a candidate or a political party whose policy it is to legalise abortion.” He makes the comment in a statement issued to coincide with the General Election campaign.

In the statement, called ‘Recognising One Another as Persons”, he also outlined a number of questions he thinks Catholics ought to put to politicians on the campaign trail: How will you protect human life from the moment of conception until its natural end?; How will you support families who are struggling?; How will you counteract family breakdown? How will you ensure that all citizens are treated fairly when it comes to healthcare?; How will you Contribute to Resolving the Refugee Crisis in Europe and the Middle East?; How will you respond to the urgent needs of those who are currently homeless and prevent further homelessness in the future?; How will you support faith-based groups in continuing to make their contribution to society, while protecting their ethos and identity?

Bishop Doran in his statement also said: “As Christian citizens, committed to the common good, we are called to think beyond our own personal and local needs in deciding how we use our vote. I appeal to everyone in our local Church communities to take seriously the social responsibility to exercise the right to vote. I encourage you to pray for the gift of wisdom to vote well.”

Read Bishop Doran’s full statement here.