An Irish Bishop Has Said That ‘Abortion Can Be Worse Than Rape’

Dr. Dermot Farrell, the Bishop of Ossory, has said that abortion is sometimes far worse than rape.

The Bishop claimed that once abortion is introduced it would be very difficult to restrict. The comments came in a "Pastoral Right To Life Letter" written by the Bishop earlier this week.

Speaking on Newstalk with Pat Kenny, Dr.Farrell said, "What we're voting for on the 25th of May is to end the life of a child without restriction up to 12 weeks, and for unspecified health reasons then up to 24 weeks.

"My fundamental argument is that the right to life is fundamental - and that all other rights are based on that, no matter what other right we talk about".

In the cases of abortion after rape, he said: "First of all rape is a violent act and it's a violent crime against a woman - a terrible crime.

"And sometimes, what I understand from women who have been raped, is that the abortion that followed sometimes after rape was far worse than the rape itself".

He claimed the issue of abortion is "the most important social and justice issue of our time."

He was appointed by Pope Francis on January 3rd this year.