Saturday, November 03, 2007

Catholic bishop defends Irish status quo on abortion

An Irish Catholic bishop has defended the country's leaders against an Anglican prelate's criticism that politicians have shown "systematic spinelessness" by failing to allow legal options for abortion.

Bishop Michael Burrows, who heads the Cashel and Ossory diocese for the Church of Ireland, had criticized Irish politicians for their inaction on the abortion issue.

But a Catholic counterpart, Bishop Leo O'Reilly of Kilmore, said that politicians are doing their best in "a very complex and difficult situation."

Bishop O'Reilly observed that although the notorious "X case" has led to public pressure for change in the country's abortion law, that law was approved by the voters and expresses the will of the people.

The bishop urged respect for "the democratic decision of the people of Ireland in a referendum that there should be no abortion in Ireland."

The situation was "not an easy one to square," he said.
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