Labour Senator Mary Moran criticised her local Catholic church in Louth for giving anti-abortion campaigners the opportunity to speak from the pulpit for the next six weeks.
Ms Moran, who lives in Haggardstown, Dundalk, said that as a practising Catholic and resident organist in the church she was shocked and disappointed by the decision.
“We have had calls from religious people to keep politics out of religion. I ask that this debate be fair and equal.”
Ms Moran said she had respected both sides of the argument in the debate on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. She had listened carefully to the arguments and had attended briefings.
Leaflets, she said, were handed out at Mass last Sunday, which stated the Government proposed dangerous and unjust abortion legislation.
“That is an untrue statement,” she added. “If people are being given the opportunity to stand up and give one side of the argument, I propose that the other side be given equal time.”
Asked by Brian Ó Domhnaill (FF) if she wanted to silence the church, Ms Moran replied she did not. “I ask that the church give both sides.”
