Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Sydney (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops of Australia have urged the faithful to find new ways to defend the rights and dignity of the person stepping over the experience of Amnesty International, now incompatible with Catholic doctrine. The Bishops made this call after the London based association “took a decision which excludes Catholic members, imposing a new policy in favour of abortion”. The president of the Australian Bishops' Conference Philip Wilson Archbishop of Adelaide, in an address to local Catholics said the Bishops are extremely disappointed that Amnesty has taken this step: “with deep regret we must warn people that because of this change, Amnesty International membership is no longer compatible with the teaching and the beliefs of the Catholic Church on one most important point", the right to life.
The Archbishop recalled that in the past Amnesty collaborated with the Catholic Church with reciprocal support, solidarity and esteem. “But today Amnesty as adopted a position contrary to the dignity of the human person and the sacredness of life. This is very sad for Catholics and for many of Australia's Catholic students who are members of Amnesty”.
The Archbishop continued: “After careful consideration, we encourage Catholics and all men and women who believe in the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death to find other ways to protect human rights”.
One possibility the Archbishop said is a new organisation formed by Catholic students in Sydney who left Amnesty to form the Benenson Society, named after Peter Benenson, the Catholic lawyer who started Amnesty International. Benenson Society is for people who want to promote respect for human rights and dignity in keeping with Catholic Church teaching, denouncing situations of injustice and showing concrete solidarity to people subject to oppression or discrimination. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2007 righe 27 parole 278)
