LONDON, Aug. 31 (CWNews.com)

    The British parents of Siamese twins ordered separated by a High Court judge have said they will appeal the decision.

    The couple originally from Eastern Europe who have not been named will launch their appeal on Monday against an operation which would result in the death of one of their babies.

    The Lord Chancellor's department which heads the British judiciary, told Reuters: "An appeal has today been lodged in the Court of Appeal by solicitors acting on behalf of the parents of the twins. It will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday."

    The High Court's Judge Robert Johnson's ruled on Friday against the wishes of the twins' parents, that one of the girls should die so her sister can survive and stand a chance of living a healthy life.

    Earlier this week, Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, Archbishop Emeritus of Ravenna, Italy, was reported to have offered the family a "safe haven" -- a hospital apartment along with free medical treatment -- to avoid the life-or-death operation.

We encourage you to check the Catholic World News site at the CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and the Dossiers, features and Daily Dispatches from ZENIT International News Agency CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC, but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.