Sydney Archdiocese is backing a call by Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart for a Day of Intercession for the defeat of Victoria's abortion law reform bill.
Archbishop Hart has urged Catholics and all people of goodwill to join with him in an Hour of Prayer this coming Sunday October 5 at 12.15pm at St Patrick's Cathedral East Melbourne to pray for the defeat of the Abortion Law Reform Bill, the archdiocese has announced.
Dioceses and parishes around Australia will be prayerfully supporting the people of Victoria on that day.
Archbishop Hart has also declared Sunday October 5 2008 a Day of Intercession for the defeat of the Abortion Law Reform Bill.
"I wish to stand with you in solidarity with women and the unborn who are directly at risk from this Bill," the Archbishop said.
The Abortion Law Reform Bill passed the lower house of the Victorian parliament on September 11 without amendment. It is scheduled for debate in the upper house on Tuesday October 7.
Archbishop Hart recently wrote to all members of the upper house of the Victorian parliament urging them to reject the Abortion Law Reform Bill as a breach of fundamental human rights.
The Bill, if enacted, provides no protection to lives in the womb and no support for women with unplanned or difficult pregnancies.
The Archbishop has affirmed that Catholic hospitals will not perform abortions and will not provide referrals for the purpose of abortion.
Sydney Archdiocese has backed Archbishop Hart's call with an appeal to local Catholics to join their brothers and sisters in Melbourne and Adelaide in prayer for the defeat of the Victorian abortion law reform bill.
Significantly, on Sunday October 5 the Archdiocese of Sydney will celebrate its annual Respect Life Sunday.
"As our parish communities gather to celebrate Mass on this day, we will remember in a special way the people of Victoria and their parliamentarians, and pray that they will show wisdom and courage in defence of human life," said Bishop Julian Porteous DD VG, Apostolic Administrator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
The Catholic community reaffirms her love and concern for every woman who is struggling with a difficult pregnancy and pray that they will experience the Church as a community willing to walk with them in love and support them.
"This bill, if passed, will not only affect women and families in Victoria but certainly have a national springboard effect" Bishop Porteous said.
"If conscientious people do not act," the bishops warn, "there is a very real danger that the law on abortion will become even worse than it is now."
Meanwhile, Catholic bishops in the United Kingdom have said there is a "real danger" that abortion on demand could become a reality in the United Kingdom, Zenit reports.
SOURCE
Sydney Archdiocese to pray for defeat of Abortion Law (Melbourne Archdiocese News, 1/10/08)
UK Bishops Urge Catholic Action Against Abortion (Catholic Online, 1/10/08)
LINKS
Day of Intercession (Melbourne Archdiocese)