MASS resignations by Catholics from Amnesty International (AI) in the wake of its new direction on abortion could lead the human rights organisation to rethink its position on the controversial issue, a Queensland Catholic bioethicist has said.
Queensland Bioethics Centre director Ray Campbell said AI had tried to justify its actions in terms of responding to violence against women.
“But abortion just perpetuates the violence against women, and condones the violence to the unborn child,” Mr Campbell, Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby’s spokesman on family and life matters, said.
AI has adopted an abortion policy calling for the decriminalisation of abortion and access to secure abortions for pregnancies resulting from sexual violence, or that risk the mother’s life or health.
Previously AI was neutral about abortion.
AI has 2.2 million members and supporters worldwide, including about 72,000 in Australia, including members at about 500 Catholic schools.
Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Mike Byrne said AI’S abortion policy change would be a matter for discussion at the June commission meeting.
“Clearly this policy change is a matter of serious concern for Catholic schools,” Mr Byrne said.
The Catholic Leader contacted Amnesty International for comment, but they did not respond by publications deadlines.
