In a statement, they say the Secretary of State, “now seems determined to impose an ideologically biased view of abortion on all schools, irrespective of parental rights or school ethos”.

The Bishops say there is no such thing as a value-free or ethically neutral approach to the question of when life begins and when a duty arises to protect and care for all human life.

“It is not for a Government to impose one ideological approach on children, parents or on our schools, over others. This is why the right of parents to an education for their children that is an accordance with their ethical, religious and philosophical convictions, is an internationally recognised human right”, they say.

“We call on the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to respect the internationally recognised rights of parents, and the principles of consultation and devolution in the Good Friday Agreement, and to withdraw this legislation, leaving it to a devolved Assembly to decide, in consultation with parents and educational stakeholders.”