Catholic bishops to read paper carefully, but want referendum

The Catholic bishops are to study the Green Paper carefully and will obviously be contributing to the public discussion on it, a church spokesman said. Mr Jim Cantwell, director of the Catholic Press and Information Office, said it would be surprising if there was not a vigorous debate on an issue of such fundamental importance.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference had made a submission to the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, he said.

"The bishops' position is clear and consistent and has been restated on several occasions, that is, the Irish people should be offered the opportunity to restore by referendum the constitutional guarantee of the right to life of the unborn child."

This was the clear and consistent position of the bishops on "the substantive issue", he added.

He said the Green Paper was a lengthy document which required careful study before the bishops would issue a considered response to it.

Mr Cantwell added that, in relation to the public debate on abortion, the bishops had always stressed that opposing views should be fairly stated, fairly represented, honestly listened to and appraised.

He said the Constitution afforded to the Irish people an opportunity not available to many countries to have a vigorous debate on issues of fundamental importance.

"Vigorous debate is essential to a healthy democracy, and it would be surprising if there was not a vigorous debate on an issue of such fundamental importance as the right to life of every innocent human being, without exception."

The Ven Gordon Linney, Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin, said he was sure his church would welcome publication of the Green Paper.

He understood that the document set out a number of options to be considered by the All Party Committee and added that it would be helpful to all to have an informed debate on what was a very complex and sensitive matter for many people.

Archdeacon Linney said the Church of Ireland would support appeals from politicians that any ensuing debate on proposals which might be advanced by the Government would be calm and rational and that people on all sides would recognise and have regard to the very deep feelings of others and the complexity of the matter.