Press Releases
Call for support for petition against abortion legislation
The Church Leaders Group – representing the leaders of the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian Church, Methodist Church, and the Irish Council of Churches – is inviting all members of its respective Churches to consider signing an online petition which Baroness Nuala O’Loan has launched to oppose the imposition of abortion legislation on Northern Ireland.
This is open for signatures here
All members, congregations and parishes are encouraged to take time to specifically pray over this coming weekend (12–13 October) to join with many others throughout Northern Ireland, and further afield, praying both for the protection of the unborn in our society and also for women facing difficult and challenging pregnancies along with their families. They are also asked to encourage their local elected representatives to take the steps necessary to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly before Monday, 21 October.
The Church of Ireland has followed the common Anglican position that the termination of a pregnancy should be considered only in cases of strict and undeniable medical necessity, and the Church affirms the need for compassionate, professional and ongoing supportive care for parents and families experiencing difficult pregnancies.
A call to action was issued by the Church Leaders last Monday (30 September) and has been followed by statements by Archbishop Richard Clarke and Bishop Harold Miller.
The Church Leaders Group comprises the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Primates of All Ireland, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the President of the Irish Council of Churches.