The Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference has expressed disappointment at the referendum outcome.
Last night conference spokesman Father Martin Clarke said the situation created by the X case judgment remained unresolved. He was disappointed particularly at the low turn-out.
The Church had been trying to present an honest view, he said, and would continue, through Cura, to help women dealing with crisis pregnancy. It had dealt with 12,000 women last year.
The Catholic bishops will hold their spring meeting in Maynooth next week and may comment on the referendum outcome then, he said. Cardinal Connell made no statement on the result last night.
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Rev Walton Empey, said last night that while his church had never approved of abortion on demand, it had consistently held the view that the Constitution was "far too blunt an instrument to deal with such complex moral issues".
He urged legislation. It would be fraught and difficult, but it was the only way forward, he said.
The Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin, the Ven Gordon Linney, welcomed the result. He said all those opposed to abortion on demand, particularly the churches, must come together and agree an honourable compromise to give moral backing to legislation.
