They have said that the Government's decision to legislate for abortion when the life of a woman is at risk - will pave the way for the direct and intentional killing of unborn children.
In a statement issued last night Cardinal Sean Brady, and Archbishops Diarmuid Martin, Michael Neary and Dermot Clifford said the decision taken by the Irish Government yesterday should be of utmost concern to all.
And they've urged people to pray that public representatives will be given the courage to do what is right.
Barrister specialising in healthcare law and former doctor Simon Mills says the legislation is facing a number of hurdles:
The issue of abortion when the life of the mother is at risk has come about recently after the death of Savita Halappanavar. Savita was refused an abortion in Galway when she started to miscarry her child and she eventaully died of blood poisoning:
