Saint Vincent de Paul Ligoniel

Statement from Bishop Noel Treanor

The protection of human life, inviolable from its conception until its natural end, is a matter of fundamental ethical and social ethical importance for citizens, society and the state. It is therefore vital that citizens of Northern Ireland, and especially Christian citizens, take note that the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill, now before the Westminster Parliament, is being used to introduce amendments aiming to liberalise provision of abortion in Northern Ireland without the say-so of either the citizens of Northern Ireland or their elected representatives.

I therefore view with the deepest concern this eleventh hour initiative by some MP's to table amendments to a Bill, whose primary function is to put in place measures to accommodate the ongoing absence of a Northern Ireland Assembly. The issue of the protection of human life and the redefinition of marriage are not just devolved matters, which should be decided upon by the people of Northern Ireland, but touchstone issues which deserve the most anxious and intense consideration by legislators and citizens.

I would encourage everyone urgently to contact their MP this weekend or on Monday to register their objection to this undemocratic and process.