The Record Newspaper 15 November 1990

Page 1

PERTH, WA: November 15, 1990

Number 2714

Registered by Australia Post Publication No. WAR 0202

POST ADDRESS: PO Box 50, Northbridge, 6000 W.A. LOCATION: 26 John St Northbridge (east off Fitzgerald St). TELEPHONE: (09) 328 1388

FAX (09) 328 7307

Angel of death for sale ON ABORTION MART Abortion is being marketed to women as an easy option to raising and unselfishly loving their children, says Archbishop Foley. "Women just don't choose abortion," he said last week just before he blessed the new South Wing of St John of God Hospital. He said the new hospital which offers advanced obstetric and neo-natal intensive care is an affirmation of the warmth and dignity of human life. In addition to the flowers and cards that new mothers will receive from friends and relatives, the archbishop said, "we as a caring Church will give a positive answer to those who market the angel of death rather than the giver of life". The archbishop said society had lost its way in some aspects of caring for others. "On the one hand governments and industry spend money, time and talent fostering new life, yet on the other hand use

PRICE 600

At the opening of the St John of God Hospital South Wing last week the Director of Nursing Sister Eileen O'Grady is pictured handing to the unit manager one of a number of crucifixes that had been blessed by Archbishop Foley.

advanced science to select the life they will preserve and the life they will snuff out in a newly conceived baby." He said the figures of 85,000 abortions annually in Australia, projected to rise to 90,000 next year, "are shocking". He cited an editorial in The Record pointing out the nonsense of saying that annually 85,000 Australian homes cannot feed another mouth or that 85,000 women annually are at grave psychological risk if they carry a baby to term. Archbishop Foley said he applauded the stand the government had taken in the regulation of reproductive technology. "The government's own research showed the community had ethical and social concerns about IVF and at the same time the government wanted to offer a compassionate alternative for infertile couples and at

the same time to protect women and subsequent children of IVF technology. The new hospital, he said wivas a clear message and a significant ei)foit for the Church in society and because of its dedicated religious and laity would give witness to what is fundamental and good to the future of Australia. While there had been great growth in respect for some specialised areas such as the handicapped and poor, there are still many forms of contempt and rejection of life, he said. It was not just a question of personal selfishness, but a social conscience that did not believe in the inviolable value of life yet claimed to be an absolute master and unquestionable arbiter of life itself. The Church had to continue the mission of Christ and witness to His values in a new form of evangelisation.

• More about the artist on page 7

Bid to stop priests' election bid Page 4

Killer drugs: A new Vatican plea Page 5


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