Statement by Bishop Larry Duffy on the right to life and the responsibility of political representatives

At this critical moment in our history, it is vitally important that political leaders in Northern Ireland face up to their responsibility to protect life, especially the life of the most vulnerable, such as unborn babies in the womb and their mothers.

I appeal to political representatives to set aside differences and to use the opportunity of the assembly meeting on Monday next and to assert their own authority on this critical question. The political impasse on this has gone on too long and has been cynically manipulated by the parliament at Westminster to remove legal protection for unborn babies in Northern Ireland up to 28 weeks in their mother’s womb.

This weekend, Catholics celebrate World Mission Sunday, acknowledging that as baptised Catholics we are called to give witness to the teachings of Christ in our everyday lives, to permeate society with the joy and hope of the Gospel. There is no greater calling than to protect, sustain and celebrate life from the moment of conception until natural death.

I ask people everywhere to pray for political leaders everywhere at this time; that they will respect and uphold the unique dignity of life, born and unborn.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Bishop Larry Duffy is Bishop of Clogher. The Diocese of Clogher encompasses all of Co Monaghan, most of Fermanagh and portions of Tyrone, Donegal, Louth and Cavan. It has a Catholic population of 88,000, across 37 parishes, which are served by 58 priests and 1 deacon. There are 85 churches in the diocese.