ARCHBISHOP Eamon Martin has urged Catholics to lobby their public representatives not to proceed with the proposed relaxation of the south's abortion laws.
In a New Year pastoral message, the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland said recent Oireachtas committee proposals would lead to a "very liberal abortion regime".
He also reiterated church teaching that ending an unborn's life is "always evil and can never be justified".
The Republic is due to have a referendum later this year on whether to repeal the eighth amendment governing abortion laws.
In December, an Oireachtas committee launched its final report, which proposes repealing the eighth amendment and legalising abortion without restriction up to 12 weeks' gestation.
Dr Martin, the Primate of all Ireland, urged Catholics to resist "strong pressures to remain silent" and "make your views known, respectfully, to our public representatives".
"Speak to your families, your children and grandchildren, friends and colleagues about cherishing the precious gift of life at all times from conception to natural death," he said.
"Speak the truth about life, and speak it with love. Despite the strong pressures to remain silent, do not be afraid to witness to the equality of all life in private conversations and public discussions in the coming months.
"As citizens committed to the common good, you have a democratic right to make your views known, respectfully, to our public representatives."
Abortion is only legal in the south if the mother's life it at risk. In Northern Ireland abortion is only permitted if her life is at risk or there is a permanent or serious risk to her mental or physical health.
