Letters

Freedom to be born (letter)

George F. Simpson

Contents - Sep 2003 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The future of the Anglican Church - Peter Westmore New auxiliary bishops appointed to the Sydney Archdiocese - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Dissident US group establishing a foothold in Australian parishes - Mary-Ruth Monsour Catholic summer conferences in the United States: signs of hope - Richard Egan Culture: Second 'Carnivale Christi' Catholic arts festival scheduled for Melbourne - Michael Gilchrist Events: Hearts On Fire Vocations Congress for Melbourne Archdiocese - Joanne Grainger Understanding the Catholic Liturgy since Vatican II - Dom Alcuin Reid OSB Pope John Paul II calls for greater use of Latin - Denis Murphy Homosexual conduct: how Gospel teaching can be distorted - Bill Muehlenberg Letters: Not closing ranks (letter) - Alan Gill Letters: Hidden agenda (letter) - Dr Arthur Hartwig Letters: Liturgical choices (letter) - Marguerite Fennell Letters: New Mass (letter) - Philip Robinson Letters: Converts (letter) - Kevin Tighe Letters: Selfhood (letter) - Robert Prinzen-Wood Letters: Prophetic words (letter) - Errol Duke Letters: Freedom to be born (letter) - George F. Simpson Abridged Papal encyclicals available - Fr M. Durham Letters: Correction - Chris Hilder Books: OLD THUNDER: A Life of Hilaire Belloc, by Joseph Pearce - Scott J. Bloch (reviewer) Books: Some Fell On Rock, by Fr John O'Neill - Fr Peter Joseph (reviewer) Books: The Practical Preacher: Handy Hints for hesitant homilists, by Paul Edwards SJ - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) Books: Great books at the best prices! Reflection: A Christian response to bereavement: Jesus' ministry to the sick and dying - Fr Dennis Byrnes

I appeal to all Victorian readers to attend the Freedom to be Born March on Saturday 13 September. The march from the Treasury Gardens to Parliament House via Flinders, Elizabeth and Bourke Streets will start at 10:30am. The estimated time of arrival at Parliament House is between 12:00 noon and 12:30pm.

We live in a world that is almost totally oblivious to the rights of the unborn and the dignity of human life. The general opinion is that nobody cares about abortion. The purpose of the march is to proclaim to our politicians and the general public that a significant portion of the population does care and is willing to proclaim its beliefs.

Our modern society constantly preaches about human rights and individual freedom. It is ironic that this same society denies the most basic human right, the freedom to be born. This is the most fundamental human right, without which, other human rights are meaningless.

The pressure is growing to legalise abortion on demand, even the late term abortion of a fully-formed baby, capable of survival outside the womb. This pressure will ultimately succeed if a majority of politicians think the general public is not interested. A solid demonstration on 13 September will show them that people are interested. Unfortunately, a numerically weak turnout will only encourage their existing attitudes. The march, therefore, is critical to the existence of the pro-life movement. It is not enough to come yourselves. Encourage others to come also and form groups.

For further information phone Right to Life, Australia (03) 9387 6288.

GEORGE F. SIMPSON
North Blackburn, Vic

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 16 No 8 (September 2003), p. 16