The four Catholic Archbishops of Ireland have said the Government's
decision to legislate for abortion when the life of a woman is at risk,
will pave the way for the direct and intentional killing of unborn
children.In a statement issued last night, Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishops Diarmuid Martin, Michael Neary and Dermot Clifford said the decision taken yesterday should be of utmost concern to all.
Responding to the Government's decision to legislate for abortion, they said such a law would fundamentally change the careful balance between the equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child.
They said it would pave the way for the direct and intentional killing of unborn children, and this can never be morally justified in any circumstances.
Describing the X-Case ruling as a flawed judgement, they said to legislate for it would be both tragic and unnecessary.
The bishops say public representatives are now being asked to choose whether to licence the direct and intentional killing of the innocent baby in the womb.
The bishops urged people to pray that public representatives will be given the courage to do what is right.