The Presbyterian Church has described the decision to formally commission abortion services in Northern Ireland as "not only deeply regrettable but deplorable".
Comments from the church came after Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said on Friday that he and officials would work to ensure a range of abortion services would become readily available across all health trusts in the coming months.
It comes three years after abortion was decriminalised in the north though widespread services had not yet been commissioned.
At the time, the main Christian churches across Ireland spoke of their grave concerns at the move.
Yesterday, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church said it was a "sad and distressing day for everyone who values the sanctity of life, and is devastating for those who will not live to experience it.
"Many people today will be rightly angry that the Secretary of State has prioritised the commissioning of abortion services in the midst of an economic crisis.
"The result will be the creation of a `new normal' in Northern Ireland, with the implementation of the most extreme abortion regime across these islands.
"As a Church with a strong pro-life position we want to make clear that this is not only an affront to democracy, but also to the sacredness of life".
Rev Gribben said "There are many staff across the health and social care sector who will not want to participate in the abortion process for reasons of conscience - Christian staff, those of other faiths and none.
"There appears to be little guidance, or instruction in this regard. Perhaps the Secretary of State has not had time in his busy schedule to address these particular and very real concerns".
The Northern Ireland Office has been approached for comment.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Heaton-Harris said: "The UK Government is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring women of Northern Ireland have access to safe, high-quality and local abortion services.
"As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my officials at the Northern Ireland Office and I will continue to work with the Department of Health and healthcare professionals to ensure a range of abortion services become readily available across all health and social care trusts in the coming months".
Yesterday, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Laura McLaughlin welcomed the move by Mr Heaton-Harris, but said she doubted if the services could be set up within six months.
She told the BBC: "This is a service that women have been waiting a long time for and that we as health professionals have been waiting for".
