RECENT video evidence of the brutal killing of cattle in Indonesian abattoirs has sparked huge public outrage.
Yet, paradoxically, a large proportion of the public, including Catholics, react with disinterested equanimity to the equally cruel killing of the unborn in human slaughter houses.
The reason for this inconsistency is obvious.
Graphic pictures of brutality towards animals informed and shocked us into anger.
Without that gruesome film, public reaction would have been as apathetic as it is to reports of abortions being performed.
Clearly, it is vital to the pro-life cause that the gross cruelty practised in abortion mills be shown to the public at large.
Abortionists are hardly likely to allow their ghoulish procedures to be filmed.
However, accurate pictorial illustrations can be produced to reveal the whole barbaric process, complete with the scissors, forceps, mini vacuum cleaners and body disposal bins involved in it.
A distasteful remedy?
Yes, but nothing by comparison with the disease.
Tragically, the majority of two generations of Australian Catholics are unaware that intentional abortion is a most grievous sin in the eyes of God and His Church.
That is not their fault.
It is the fault of my generation, both lay and clerical, now in our seventies and eighties, who failed them by not standing firm against the insidious secularism rampant in both state and Church over the past four decades.
But it is not too late.
I appeal to every bishop and priest to spell out the truth about this monstrous evil to the people in the pews.
Some will find the teaching too hard and walk away, as they did when our Lord proclaimed his teachings; but many will hear and heed.
Please let us not be found wanting again.
RICHARD CONGRAM
Carindale, Qld