We take this opportunity to invite all those affected by abortion - women and men - to avail of spiritual, sacramental and pastoral support, and we assure them that they will be welcomed without judgement and helped to find healing and peace – Council for Life.

While this result is disappointing, the fact that well over 200 public representatives in the House of Commons and House of Lords voted against the regulations is encouraging – Pro Life Campaign.

In the same week that “abortion pill reversal” was attacked in Ireland, news emerged that an unborn baby had its life ended in England after a woman took “pills by post” abortion drugs while 28 weeks pregnant - Pro Life Campaign.

My thoughts turn to families in our own diocese who have welcomed the birth of a child during this past year and to those who are expecting a baby in the near future – Bishop Kevin Doran.

I was one of those people who was middle of the road. I didn’t really know what happened during an abortion procedure. When Abby described it I just thought how blinded I had been – Ashley Bratcher.

“Lord bless our Christian mothers; Lord Bless our Christian fathers.”

His Holiness baptises 28 infants during a joyful – if noisy – Sistine Chapel Mass.

Independent TD Mattie Mc Grath is seeking a discontinuation of the ‘incompatible with life’ label for children diagnosed with a life limiting condition.

"What will happen will be determined exclusively by the courts and we know from past experience that test cases can produce unexpected results” - Archbishop Martin.

"Will those who sincerely believe that marriage is between a man and a woman be forced to act against their faith and conscience?” - Bishop Martin Drennan.

"Mothers and fathers bring different, yet complementary, gifts and strengths into a child's life".