Bishop says he finds it 'difficult to understand how any Catholic' could vote for someone with policy to legalise abortion

A leading Catholic bishop has said he finds it difficult to envisage how any Catholic could support a party or politician in the forthcoming General Election willing to liberalise Ireland's abortion laws.

Bishop of Elphin Kevin Doran said there is a need to convince politicians "of the importance of supporting and promoting a culture of life that recognises the unique value of every human person, and we need to actively support those who do.

"Meanwhile, I find it very difficult to see how any Catholic could, in good conscience, vote for a candidate or a political party whose policy it is to legalise abortion".

In a separate statement, Catholic Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary said it was regrettable some candidates have "declared their intention to work to remove" the 8th Amendment of the Constitution.