Northern Ireland

Catholic bishops hit out at British government over threat to force roll-out of abortion services

Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. Picture by Mark Marlow
Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. Picture by Mark Marlow Archbishop of Armagh Eamon Martin. Picture by Mark Marlow

THE Catholic Church has hit out at the British government over a threat to force the roll-out of abortion services in the north.

In a statement, the northern bishops said they are "deeply concerned by the announcement that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland intends to bypass the NI Assembly to force the Minister for Health here to commission some of the most extreme and liberal abortion services on these islands".

"This is the latest in a line of unilateral interventions by the current Westminster government to portray a reckless disregard for the fragile checks and balances of the international peace settlement between these islands."

They added: "What Westminster seeks to impose, against the clear will of a majority of people here, is a law which blatantly undermines the right to life of unborn children and promotes an abhorrent and indefensible prejudice against persons with disabilities, even before they are born."

The statement called on all MLAs and political parties "not to meekly acquiesce in this effort to bypass internationally agreed devolved structures".

"This is not a time for silence or strategic opting out."

It came as Health Minister Robin Swann yesterday defended his handling of a Stormont stand-off over the commissioning of abortion services.

He was answering an urgent oral question in the assembly on the failure to act a year on from the introduction of regulations liberalising the law.

While individual health trusts are offering services on an ad-hoc basis, Mr Swann claimed he cannot commission services centrally without the executive agreeing to proposals tabled last year.

"I'm obliged, under the ministerial code, to bring this matter to the Executive to discuss and agree before the matter can be proceeded," he said.