THE north's Catholic bishops have urged voters to support Westminster candidates who oppose the liberalisation of abortion laws, support measures to mitigate against the impact of welfare reform and "value positive relationships within and beyond these islands".
In a statement issued a week before the general election, Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin, Bishop of Down & Connor Noel Treanor, Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown, Bishop of Clogher Larry Duffy and Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh Michael Router noted that it is 20 years this month since the Stormont Assembly assumed the full powers devolved to it.
"The damaging consequences of the prolonged, ongoing failure to restore the institutions of the (Good Friday) Agreement are becoming increasingly clear, especially their impact on the most vulnerable in society," the bishops' statement said.
"As the people of Northern Ireland return to the polling booths for the Westminster elections we encourage everyone to vote and to take the opportunity on the doorsteps to encourage all politicians to return to the assembly as soon as possible."
The senior clerics noted that the outcome of Brexit will have a "significant impact on our fragile peace and on our political, economic and social life".
"Competent voices are needed to annunciate our concerns and we encourage voters to choose candidates who value positive relationships within and beyond these islands," they said.
In reference to Westminster's intervention in October which saw the liberalisation of abortion law, the bishops urged "every voter and political representative" to oppose the move.
"Voters have a duty to inform themselves on the position of election candidates in respect of their willingness to support and cherish equally the lives of mothers and their unborn children," the statement said.
The clerics also voiced "grave concern" about the ending of the welfare reform mitigation package at the end of March 2020, describing it as "cliff edge for many already vulnerable people".
"In the absence of devolved government, we call on politicians elected to Westminster to seek to ensure that the mitigation package does not end suddenly," they said.
The bishops also voiced concern about the increased numbers facing homelessness and recent incidents of human trafficking.
