The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland have criticised the holding of a conference dealing with abortion.

The bishops said they “deplored and opposed” the two-day conference which was organised by the Family Planning Association.

They said the conference was designed to undermine the rights and welfare of children in the womb and “normalise what is unacceptable”.

The All-Ireland Conference on Abortion and Clinical Practice ends on Friday.

In their statement the bishops said: “Every human life is worthy of protection from the moment of conception to natural death.

“The dignity of the human person is absolute and inviolable. We call on public representatives to express their opposition to this conference and to promote and defend a legislative environment which respects the inherent dignity of life in all its stages.

“A conference which promotes themes such as Manual Vacuum Aspiration and Issues in Late Abortion is an affront to the dignity of the human person.

“It is gravely immoral. Respect should be shown in all circumstances for the life and well-being of both the mother and the unborn child.”