THE LEADERS of the main Christian churches have written to all Westminster MPs urging them not to extend British abortion legislation to Northern Ireland.
Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady, Methodist president the Rev Roy Cooper, Presbyterian moderator Dr John Finlay and Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper said abortion legislation should be decided by the Northern Ireland Assembly, where there was a large anti-abortion majority, rather than by Westminster.
However, their decision has been criticised by campaigners seeking abortion facilities in Northern Ireland, and by the Church of Ireland Gazette.
In their letter, the church leaders urged Westminster MPs to take account of the Northern electorate and political parties, and to vote against any measure concerning abortion legislation in the North.
There is currently no legislation providing for abortion in Northern Ireland. However, MPs are currently considering the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, which passed its second stage this week with a large majority.
An amendment has been tabled which would provide for abortion in the North, but the DUP, Sinn Féin, Ulster Unionists and the SDLP are opposed to the proposed extension.
DUP deputy leader-elect Nigel Dodds has said the main Stormont parties had "made clear their opposition to introducing freely available abortion here".
Any amendment to Westminster legislation extending abortion provision would be "sickening to the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland", he added.
Addressing Westminster MPs, the church leaders wrote: "Last year, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland indicated that he felt the Northern Ireland Assembly is the best forum for discussion of these questions.
"We wholeheartedly agree with this position and ask that you make every effort to ensure that any future changes to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland are solely the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly."
However, Church of Ireland Gazette editor Canon Ian Ellis said in a statement last night it was not up to church leaders to tell legislators how to vote.
"While I do not take issue with the main thrust of the statement issued today by four church leaders, I do not consider it appropriate, as a matter of principle, for church leaders categorically to ask MPs to vote in particular ways.
"When it comes to MPs casting their votes, they should be left to do so with their consciences duly informed, but without any attempt at moral coercion," he said.
Alliance For Choice, a pressure group seeking extension of the British 1967 Act, also criticised the church leaders.
Spokeswoman Goretti Horgan said: "Everybody has a right to religious views but not to impose those views on others."