Catholic hospitals subject to law on abortion

Hospitals with a Catholic ethos have been told they must abide by the law of the land, as ministers hit back at claims that proposed abortion legislation amountedto a denial of religious freedom.

In a strongly worded intervention, the Catholic bishops said the bill giving legal effect to the Supreme Court X case ruling would “make the direct and intentional killing of unborn children lawful in Ireland”.

They urge TDs to oppose the bill and will bring their campaign to the Taoiseach’s constituency of Mayo with a “prayer vigil for life” in Knock today.