Ahead of the referendum on the Right to Life of the Unborn, our Easter Booklet featured the following:
Prayer for the Child in the Womb
Lord Jesus, You are the source and lover of life.Reawaken in us respect for every human life.
Help us to see in each child the marvellous work of our Creator.
Open our hearts to welcome every child as a unique and wonderful gift.
Guide the work of doctors, nurses and midwives.
May the life of all mothers and all babies in the womb be equally cherished and protected from all harm regardless of past or present circumstances.
Please forgive all men and women who ever pointed a finger of blame rather than a hand of support, making it more difficult for women with crisis pregnancies to have and keep their babies.
In your compassion, please also forgive those women who, for want of that support or for other reasons, have had an abortion.
Help the people of Ireland who vote in the referendum this summer to uphold the uniqueness and sacredness of every human life, from the first moment of conception to natural death.
Give us the wisdom and generosity to build a society that adequately supports all mothers and babies.
Together with Mary, Your Mother, in whose womb You took on our human nature, help us to choose life in every decision we take.
We ask this in the joyful hope of eternal life with You, and in the communion of the Blessed Trinity.
Amen.