
Caption Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore, and Bishop Larry Duffy of Clogher. (Catholic Communications Office archive)
- This statement is published on behalf of Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore, and Bishop Larry Duffy of Clogher, in the context of abortion services being made available in hospitals in Ireland.
As people of faith called to protect the sacredness of human life, we are saddened by the availability of abortion services in our hospitals. Our hospitals were founded to care for the sick, save and improve our lives as well as to provide palliative care for those whose life is reaching its natural end.
We continue to promote the dignity and sacred value of human life from the moment of conception to its natural end. We give thanks for God’s gift of life imprinted on each one of us with its own unique purpose, possibility and potential. As followers of Christ who calls us to live life to the full (John 10:10), we wish to make our voices heard. We urge that the staff of our hospitals are assured of their freedom of conscience not to participate in the procurement of abortions. We stand with those staff, who refuse to be involved in abortion procedures and in this way promote and protect human life. We ask that the integrity of their stance not impact upon the progression of their career paths within the health services.
The actuality of each human life is given expression in the giftedness of the other people around us, our families, friends and neighbours who form our communities. May we be alert to our Christian duty and responsibility to protect and care for all of life and, above all, to advocate for the protection of human life. Throughout his ministry, Jesus extended forgiveness and compassion as illustrated by the Gospel story of the Prodigal Son (in last Sunday’s Gospel). In realising our own need for forgiveness, we are called to reach out to each other with compassion.
Our hearts go out to those who are faced with an unplanned pregnancy: a couple, a woman alone. We pray that, as well as finding support from loving families and caring communities, they will be provided with the options to continue with their pregnancy and be open to the life of their unborn child. We are grateful for those dedicated agencies like Gianna Care* and Community Connect* that are there to provide support and practical help to a woman or a couple expecting a baby.
Our families are entrusted with rearing, caring, and shaping the spiritual lives of their children. They carry out their vocation of parenthood with love and dedication to ensure the future for our communities; raising young people who inspire us now and who will be the future leaders of society. In supporting family life, we are especially conscious of those families who are enduring the difficulties of poverty, relationship breakdown, domestic violence or addiction.
We wish to commend those people who continue to promote human life through prayer and peaceful protest.
There is an opportunity to demonstrate advocacy for human life at the upcoming ‘March for Life’ in Dublin, on Bank Holiday Monday, 5 May 2025, beginning with Mass at Newman University Church, 87a Saint Stephen’s Green at 12.30pm. The march commences at 2.00pm on the University Church side of Saint Stephen’s Green. Visit Council for Life website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference at https://councilforlife.ie/ for more information. The Council for Life website will soon include updated information for the ‘Novena for Life’, taking place from 23 to 31 May, and for ‘Day for Life’, taking place on 15 June 2025.
We continue to promote, cherish, support and pray for the recognition of the sacredness human life from its beginning to its natural end.
ENDS
- Bishop Martin Hayes is Bishop of Kilmore and member of the Council for Life for the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Bishop Larry Duffy is Bishop of Clogher.
- *Community Connect started its life in 2019. It exists to help pregnant mothers and families with young children who are in need across Ireland, by providing them with material support. To find out more please visit the website.
- *Gianna Care opened its doors in 2011 to provide free services and reliable information. Gianna Care does not provide or refer for abortions. Gianna Care provides real compassion and practical support in an accessible way. Visit the website for more information or contact Gianna Care via its 24/7 Helpline: 1800 1111 41 or via email: [email protected]