He made the remarks in a general election message where he thanked political representatives in Kerry for their sacrifices in representing constituents.
However, the Bishop’s hard-hitting comments were reserved for the rights of the unborn and assisted dying. He said while science clearly shows that human life begins at conception, humans, in the earliest stages of development, are entitled to the protections the rest of us enjoy.
“Each unborn child is precious, irreplaceable and unmistakably one of us,” he said.
“Sadly, in Ireland today, it is estimated that possibly one in every eight pregnancies are ended by abortion, and there is a campaign to extend the situations in which an abortion is legally permitted.”
Bishop Browne cited the Dáil’s recent decision to vote in favour of a “Final Report” that would permit assisted death and euthanasia under specific circumstances. He said the report goes against the recommendations of many medical bodies who care for the dying.
“Legalising and thus normalising these deaths (allowing assisted suicide) will within a short time play on the minds of people in the final months/years of their lives, and of many others with major health issues (physical, mental, psychological),” he said.
“Assisted suicide is often presented as something that would be rare and exceptional. Once assisted suicide is accepted in principle, it becomes very difficult to draw a line. Many countries, which began by legalising assisted suicide on a limited basis, have moved on to widen significantly the scope of that legislation. I encourage all people to make a personal decision to always speak out against legalising assisted death/assisted suicide and euthanasia,” he added.
The Bishop also encouraged voters to ‘please share your views’ with those seeking election, while welcoming the fact several candidates are giving priority to what he called, ‘prolife issues’.
“In today’s world where medical advances and major progress have been made in caring for all at the beginning and at the end of life, surely, we can respect the right to life of every human being from conception in the womb to the moment of natural death,” he said.
"I ask all to pray that the General Election will be conducted in a good spirit, and that that all entitled to vote will be motivated to do so,” Bishop Browne added.
Separately, the Bishop spoke of this Dáil term as having coped with the Covid pandemic, wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, and inward migration.“We have been blessed in terms of the growth and strength of our economy. At the same time, we face many very serious ongoing challenges, for example: housing all our people, major gaps in our health services, affordable and available childcare, the numbers of adults and children trapped in poverty,” he said.
Lastly, Bishop Browne said it was time to appreciate ‘fine community spirit’ in towns, villages and rural areas.
“I have in mind the contribution of so many volunteers through local groups and charities and as individual neighbours and relations: in the areas of social and health care, music, culture, the arts and sport, to name but a few,” he said.