Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Meet the Brisbane doctors who don’t want abortion decriminalised in Queensland

byMark Bowling
20 May 2016 - Updated on 1 April 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read
AA
Rowan slideshow
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Dr Katrina Neal
Call to opposition: Brisbane general practitioner Dr Katrina Neal at a May 12 press conference.

PROMINENT doctors have expressed their concern about the traumatic effects of an abortion on women and their families, and for the protection of medical staff called on to carry out the “heinous” procedures. 

Brisbane general practitioner Dr Katrina Neal described the proposed Queensland abortion bill as “quite gross” – something “we should all oppose in our country”. 

“Although we talk a lot about unwanted pregnancies we very much need to recognise there is the issue of unwanted abortions. And it can be very, very traumatic for people, both men and women,” Dr Neal said. 

“It seems to me as human beings we are unable to escape certain archetypal patterns in our psyche of our society, and one of those archetypes is the father as protector and the mother as nurturer. 

“An unwanted abortion is a very primal part of ourself – both men and women.
I do believe there are too many abortions that are partly involved with domestic abuse and violence against women. 

“The idea of taking abortion through to the day of birth is quite gross, I think, for everybody.

“I don’t think there are any of us who would willingly want to participate in that kind of action and it is so hard for me to comprehend in this country that this has become legal in Victoria.” 

Dr Neal described the mental health implications of an abortion as “absolutely horrifying”. 

“We may like to play down that it could hurt us, but it can and it does,” she said. 

Dr Christian Rowan
Speaking out: Dr Christian Rowan.

“There’s pressure from partners, there’s pressure from families for a child or partner to push forward with an abortion because it’s not something they really want. 

Related Stories

Biden condemns violence, threats after churches and Supreme justices’ homes targeted over abortion row

Crowds gather in Washington as US court appears ready to strike down landmark case that legalised abortion

Brisbane Catholic doctor voicing the risks and unsafe aspects of VAD laws

“When your partner doesn’t want the baby, and the woman wants to stay with the partner, what kind of choice is she going to make? 

“It is horrifying from a medical point of view that a doctor has no protection against the law if they refuse to participate in such a heinous act, and I don’t think this belongs in Australia at all.”

State Member for Moggill Dr Christian Rowan and the Opposition’s spokesperson for environment and heritage protection, said he would be voting against the abortion bill. 

“What really concerns me is that women who are out there today have difficult decisions to make and are looking for advice about those things, that they are going to be potentially not getting accurate health advice support both psychologically and mentally around the things that they may or may not need to do,” Dr Rowan said. “So I am greatly concerned because there is going to be a lot of polarisation over time. 

“The bill that has come forward is badly drafted, it is poorly worded. 

“This is a complex and sensitive issue. I certainly don’t support change from the status quo because the highly evolved system we have at the moment has checks and balances in it. 

“I talk to my parliamentary colleagues, and I will be putting my views forward forcefully in relation to this bill.”

By Mark Bowling

ShareTweet
Previous Post

Domestic violence: Krav Maga self-defence workshop for women proving a top protection against a violent attack

Next Post

Domestic violence, separation and Church teaching

Mark Bowling

Mark is the joint winner of the Australian Variety Club 2000 Heart Award for his radio news reporting in East Timor, and has also won a Walkley award, Australia’s most-respected journalism award. Mark is the author of ‘Running Amok’ that chronicles his time as a foreign correspondent juggling news deadlines and the demands of being a husband and father. Mark is married with four children.

Related Posts

Biden condemns violence, threats after churches and Supreme justices’ homes targeted over abortion row

Biden condemns violence, threats after churches and Supreme justices’ homes targeted over abortion row

10 May 2022
Crowds gather in Washington as US court appears ready to strike down landmark case that legalised abortion

Crowds gather in Washington as US court appears ready to strike down landmark case that legalised abortion

4 May 2022
Doctors make ‘dramatic mistakes’, physician warns ahead of Queensland euthanasia vote
QLD

Brisbane Catholic doctor voicing the risks and unsafe aspects of VAD laws

13 March 2022
Next Post
Domestic violence

Domestic violence, separation and Church teaching

Pregnancy test hand

A woman’s most vulnerable moment is in the bathroom with a pregnancy test

Christine slideshow

Christine Tofaeono: What would have changed my mind about having an abortion at 16

Popular News

  • From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Fr Liam receives bravery medal after shark attack rescue

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is lust?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says
Vatican

Life ‘is always sacred and inviolable’, Pope Francis says

by Guest Contributor
23 May 2022
0

POPE Francis praised a pro-life event in Rome and offered comments defending the dignity of life on...

From a humble start Albanese is sworn in as new prime minister

23 May 2022
Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping