The Government’s proposed abortion Bill would be “a dramatic and morally unacceptable change to Irish law”, 
the Catholic bishops have said.
In a statement responding to the Government’s publication of the Heads of the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill 2013 this week, the bishops said that it would “make the direct and intentional killing of unborn children lawful in Ireland”.
They said: “[T]he deliberate decision to deprive an innocent human being of life is always morally wrong.
“We uphold the right to life as the foundation of every other human right. We encourage a deeper understanding of the inviolability of the right to life of both a mother and her unborn child, in all circumstances. Accordingly, at this crucial time, it is essential that all who share these beliefs make them clear to their legislators.”
They also referred to the provision in the Bill also which imposes a duty on every hospital, including Catholic hospitals, to provide abortions.
They said: “This would be totally unacceptable and has serious implications for the existing legal and Constitutional arrangements that respect the legitimate autonomy and religious ethos of faith-based institutions. It would also pose serious difficulties for the conscientious beliefs of many citizens.”
The bishops added: “Abortion, in the sense of directly killing the unborn child, is never a remedy for suicidal ideation and therefore should never be cited as a justification for the direct killing of an innocent human being.
“It is a tragic moment for Irish society when we regard the deliberate destruction of a completely innocent person as an acceptable response to the threat of the preventable death of another person.
“The Catholic bishops of Ireland stress once again the importance of continuing to provide a health care service in Ireland which ensures complete respect for the sacredness of the life both of the mother and her unborn baby.
The bishops also invited all opposed to the legislation to support their Vigil for Life which is taking place in Knock tomorrow.