Abortion Law Among Themes Addressed by Irish Bishops at Autumn Meeting

MAYNOOTH, Ireland, SEPT. 28, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of Ireland concluded their autumn general meeting Wednesday, having focused on the issue of abortion law in Ireland given "widespread misinformation" about the implications of the December 2010 judgement of the European Court of Human Rights, recalling that the Irish government is under no obligation to legislate for abortion because of the court's ruling.

The issue of abortion law was one of the many themes the bishops addressed during their assembly. They also looked at the Year of Faith, the upcoming synod of bishops, and local issues regarding budget and Catholic higher education in Ireland.

Regarding the abortion issue, the bishops considered the point in the context of the Day for Life in Ireland and the successive month of prayer initiative.

Parishes will be praying a "Prayer for the Child in the Womb" during Masses throughout the month of prayer, which ends on the Nov. 6 feast of All the Saints of Ireland.

Year of Faith

Addressing the Year of Faith, which begins Oct. 11, the bishops asked the faithful to take up the challenge of more widely distributing the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

In particular, they noted that during the Year of Faith, the national directory for catechesis in Ireland will be promoted.

The directory is forming the basis for faith community development in six dioceses and a multitude of parishes around Ireland.

In addition, the Web site www.adultfaith.ie is being developed to host new developments across the Church in Ireland for the forthcoming Year of Faith.

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See www.catholicbishops.ie/2012/09/26/autumn-2012-general-meeting-irish-catholic-bishops-conference/ for a complete overview of the bishops' discussions on the following themes:

·         Referendum on Children Rights on 10 November 2012

·         Day for Life in Ireland - ‘Choose Life!’

·         Safeguarding of Children

·         Reflections on the 50th International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland

·         Year of Faith 2012 – 2013

·         Share the Good News

·         Catholic education at third level

·         General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome

·         Budget 2013

·         Legislation on prostitution and human trafficking in the North and South

·         October is Mission Month – ‘Growing in Communion’

·         Conflict in the Middle East