Bishops rarely comment on Bills in Parliament. Lay Christians, informed by their faith, freely and sincerely adopt different political views and propose different solutions to the practical problems and great challenges of our time.

Yet, when the bishops voice "deep alarm" about a legislative measure in Parliament it is a moment when the faithful, and indeed everyone of good will, are alerted to something vital for the well-being of society.

Such a moment comes on Wednesday (15 May) when two amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill threaten to remove remaining legal protections from the unborn child at any stage of pregnancy. Pro-life groups are certainly not exaggerating when they describe such proposals as the greatest threat to the unborn child and their mothers since the Abortion Act of 1967.

At such a moment the Church and her bishops cannot fail to speak, recognising the threat to human life and dignity. This led Bishop John Sherrington in his national role to raise the alarm about this impending parliamentary debate on 15 May insisting “both unborn child and pregnant mother deserve full protection under our laws as some of the most vulnerable in society".