Papal nuncio urges society to fight against abortion

Pope Benedict’s official representative in Ireland has described 2013 as “an incredibly important” year “for the sanctity of human life” and urged people of conscience from all religions and none “to work vigorously and courageously to protect human life from conception to natural death”.

The papal nuncio made the call at a Mass to mark World Day of Peace, which was attended by President Michael D Higgins, representatives of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament, diplomats, members of the papal orders, and the Defence Forces

The papal nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, gave a ringing endorsement to Irish bishops’ stance on abortion and described the Catholic hierarchy as having “spoken with courage and clarity”.