Ireland's Catholic bishops have strongly urged church members to take part in the current public consultation process on stem-cell research.
"Catholics - as citizens - cannot abdicate their responsibility to play an active part in the formation of attitudes and policies on issues which relate to the dignity and rights of the human person," they said in a statement. They added that "research on human embryos which involves their destruction can never be justified."
The bishops, whose three-day spring meeting concluded at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, last night, were commenting in a statement following press advertisements concerning the State consultation process on stem-cell research, being undertaken by the Irish Council for Bioethics.
They welcomed efforts to find agreement on the most effective way of providing greater protection and giving proper and balanced expression to the rights of all children in Ireland.
"Our analysis of the proposed wording for the constitutional amendment on the rights of children suggests that more comprehensive analysis and debate is required around all of the main elements proposed. We believe fuller discussion of the issues involved can only help to ensure maximum benefit for the children of our country," they said.
They also welcomed the reinstatement of Trócaire's advertisement on independent radio and television stations. They pointed out that part of the mandate they gave Trócaire "included raising awareness in Ireland of the root causes of poverty and injustice in the developing world and our responsibilities as a people in addressing these".