Irish bishops have reiterated their opposition to 'unrestricted access to abortion' ahead of the forthcoming referendum on the controversial area in May this year.

The comments come after the Irish Catholic Church appealed for people to vote against a change to the abortion law, telling Christian Today 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 appeals come after the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, confirmed last week that Ireland will hold a referendum in May on whether to lift its constitutional ban on abortion.

Currently abortion 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.

A new statement released by the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Richard Clarke, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, said that the Church remained opposed to unrestricted abortion 'while being concerned to ensure provision for hopefully rare circumstances and in a secure medical setting'.

The statement, reported by the Belfast Telegraph, said: 'Where individuals draw such a line will inevitably differ. Instances where the life of the woman is at serious risk have long been regarded within Church of Ireland teaching as situations where termination of a pregnancy would be justifiable.

'For some, pregnancy after sexual crime or the medical certainty of fatal foetal abnormality might also be seen as circumstances where abortion could be considered as justified.

'In every situation, however, the church seeks to offer pastoral care sensitive to the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of women and families who find themselves in such difficult situations."

The bishops added that the Church favoured a modification of the amendment which allows for legislators to have responsibility to address termination of pregnancy and for the rights of the unborn and pregnant woman to be 'clearly defined'.

They added: 'We recognise the dilemma faced both by legislators and by medical, nursing and healthcare practitioners with regards to access to unrestricted abortion during the early months of pregnancy.

'However, unrestricted access to abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, or indeed at any stage, is not an ethical position we can accept. We would suggest that current legislation should be strengthened to ensure that the needs of pregnant women facing difficult situations can be addressed quickly and comprehensively through improved support services. This will require significant and sustained investment in both medical and mental health services.

'We acknowledge that too often in this debate the voice of women has not been heard. The church will seek to continue to care for and pastorally stand alongside women, and their partners and families, who face immensely difficult situations and dilemmas.'

In a statement to Christian Today last week, 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.'