The legislation would have strengthened the ban on dismemberment abortions and abortions from the 20th week on during a pregnancy.

"I encourage you to work always in a spirit of communion and cooperation with other Catholic NGOs and with the representatives of the Holy See."

Close to 100 percent of unborn babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in Iceland are aborted.

Cardinal Bernardin’s consistent ethic of life could be helpful as the church grapples with issues like migration, health care and even taxes, some bishops say.

It will be the first abortion-related case heard by the court with Neil Gorsuch on the bench.

“There is no obligation to have recourse in all circumstances to every possible remedy” to keep a person alive.