The Bishop of Kilmore says he believes the decision of the Supreme Court in the 'X Case' was wrong.

The Catholic Bishops have rejected 3 of the options put forward by the expert group on abortion saying that only guidelines are needed to clarify the law.

Anything else they say would lead to the direct and intentional killing of an unborn child.

In a statement today the the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference said "As a society we have a particular responsibility to ensure this right is upheld on behalf of those who are defenceless, voiceless or vulnerable".

'Equal right to life'

They go on to say that "this includes our duty as a society to defend and promote the equal right to life of a pregnant mother and the innocent and defenceless child in her womb when the life of either of these persons is at risk".

They say that both the mother and unborn baby "have an equal right to life". 

In relation to the expert group report on abortion the Bishops say of the 4 options presented by the Report, 3 involve abortion and they say "this can never be morally justified". 

It concludes that "the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights does not oblige the Irish Government to legislate for abortion".

Bishop Leo O'Reilly told Lunchtime here on Newstalk that he believes the judges on the Supreme Court were wrong.