The Archbishop of Birmingham has urged Catholic voters to make their beliefs on the sanctity of human life clearly heard following the re-election of the Labour Government.

The Most Rev Vincent Nichols said the Catholic electorate should capitalise on Tony Blair's pledge to listen more attentively to people during his new term in office.

"Actions proposed or supported by the new Government should not undermine respect for human life, as a gift from God, not even in the name of pursuing apparently laudable aims such as medical advances and cures."

Archbishop Nichols said the words of Pope Benedict XVI were encouraging because they indicated that the firm stance taken by his predecessor on such issues would be continued.

"Pope Benedict accepted that his mission, like that of Pope John Paul II, takes place sometimes 'in the face of erroneous interpretations of freedom' and requires the underlining 'in an unequivocal way, the inviolability of the human being, the inviolability of human life, from its conception until natural death'."

Archbishop Nichols said he hopes Catholics will let their MPs know of their concerns.