News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Ireland-Irish-flag-and-pregnant-main_article_image.jpg
Creative Commons and PA
World News

Catholic Church braces for Irish abortion vote battle

Leaders have expressed their "responsibility" to ensure voters understand the stance of the church on terminating a pregnancy, adding that neutrality in the debate isn't an option.

Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran told Premier: "On a matter as significant as the right to life, there's no room for people to sit on their hands and wait to see what will happen. People have to take a principled decision."

PA

Bishop Kevin spoke out after Ireland's Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar announced a ballot on changes the Republic's Constitution would be help in May or June 2018.

Citizens will asked for their views on the Eighth Ammendment - which states a mother and her unborn baby have an equal right to life. The exact wording has not yet been determined.

The Amendment has long been highly contentious in Ireland, with pro-life campaigners wanting it preserved and pro-choice supporters saying it should be abolished.

Creative Commons

Bishop Kevin went on to say: "As a Church, we would see it as our responsibility to continue to confirm to our own people, in the first instance, the teaching of the church on the respect for life and also the church's pastoral responsibility to care for women in crisis pregnancy."

The vote will be held just months before Pope Francis is due to visit Dublin where he will stage the 2018 World Meeting of Families, a gathering which celebrates marriage and family life.

Encouraging people to pray for the referendum, Bishop Kevin added: "Prayer is part of the pastoral strategy, if I can say that, in relation to the defence of life because prayer changes our hearts. We need to ask God's help to be wise, to be courageous."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate