Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and Cardinal-designate Mykola Bychok have defended retired trade unionist Joe de Bruyn’s right to uphold Catholic teaching in his speech to Australian Catholic University graduates last week. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
ACU awarded an honorary doctorate to Mr de Bruyn last week for his “outstanding support” of the Church in Australia, “particularly in the promotion of liberal arts education”, and his “outstanding contributions to the general wellbeing of the Australian community” through his support of Australian workers.
In his acceptance speech, Mr de Bruyn discussed defending Catholic social teaching, including opposing abortion, IVF and same-sex marriage.
A number of ACU graduates and staff walked out on Mr de Bruyn in protest against his comments. ACU later offered to refund the cost of the graduation tickets for those who were upset by the speech.
Responding to critics of Mr De Bruyn’s acceptance speech, Archbishop Comensoli said “the unborn, the sick and dying, the elderly, those with disability, people experiencing homelessness, in fact all those on the margins or who have no voice, are owed the upholding of their lives and dignity”.
“In a diverse, pluralistic society like Australia, it is important that we are able to engage respectfully in dialogue with those with whom we disagree. It is in this dialogue that trust, harmony and peace are built,” Archbishop Comensoli said.
“A Catholic university is such a place where civil engagement on questions of the most vulnerable among us can be, and should be, entered into.”
Cardinal-designate Bychok also supported Mr de Bruyn’s words and his right to speak out, The Australian reported.
“Freedom of speech is an important pillar of our society, so is freedom of religion,” he said.
“We must be free to say that which we believe to be the truth as passed to us by Our Lord. Jesus says to us ‘Be not afraid’.”
Cardinal-designate Bychok said he did not believe there was any division within the Church on the sanctity of life: “The Church with one voice says human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.”
FULL STORY
ACU honours Joe de Bruyn with honorary doctorate (Melbourne Catholic)
Catholics ‘free to oppose abortion’, says Mykola Bychok (By Tess Livingstone, The Australian)
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Joe de Bruyn’s ACU graduation speech (Melbourne Catholic)
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