The Irish Catholic Church has appealed for people to vote against a change to the abortion law, emphasising that 'human life is sacred from conception' and urging voters to preserve the 'equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child'.

The appeal comes after the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, confirmed that Ireland will hold a referendum in May on whether to lift its constitutional ban on abortion.

In a statement to Christian Today, the Catholic Communications Office of the Irish Bishops' conference said: 'Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution of Ireland has a particular vision which is based on respect for the right to life of every person. The Catholic Church believes that human life is sacred from conception until natural death and that Article 40.3.3 reflects the appropriate balance of rights. Bishops ask the people of Ireland to ensure that this equal right to life of the mother and her unborn child should remain unchanged in our Constitution.'

Currently, abortion in in Ireland is only permitted when the mother's life is in danger. The equal rights of the mother and unborn child are protected under the Eighth Amendment of Constitution of Ireland. The amendment was passed after an acrimonious referendum in 1983, by 67 per cent in favour to 33 per cent against.

Now, Varadkar has said that he will campaign to repeal the amendment, and his government will prepare legislation to allow unrestricted abortions up to 12 weeks if the referendum passes.

He said: 'My own views have evolved over time. Life experience does that.'

The prime minister added: 'It is a matter for people to make their own decision based on the evidence they hear, compassion and empathy and I want the debate to be respectful on all sides and it should never be personalized.'

Meanwhile, Dr Ruth Cullen of the Irish Pro Life Campaign said that the referendum marked 'a very sad and serious moment for our country'.

She said that the government has 'brought forward a proposal that for the first time in our history would withdraw basic human rights from a group of vulnerable defenceless individuals instead of strengthening their constitutional protections'.

She added: 'They can't disguise the fact that what's being proposed is solely about stripping unborn babies of all meaningful legal protections.

'In the coming weeks, it will become clear that the government's proposal would lead to abortion on demand if voted for in the referendum. As people come to realise this, I have every confidence they will vote to retain the Eighth Amendment with a renewed commitment to building a more welcoming society for expectant mothers and their unborn babies.'