ADELAIDE, Australia, SEPT. 11, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Philip Wilson called on Amnesty International to reverse its new policy promoting access to abortion.
Archbishop Wilson of Adelaide, president of the Australian bishops' conference, said today that Amnesty's shift away from a neutral stance on abortion was regrettable.
"Catholic people have had a long association with Amnesty International, going right back to its inception, and the two bodies have been closely aligned in their commitment to social justice," the archbishop said.
"However," he added, "Amnesty International has now adopted a position, under the misleading term of 'sexual and reproductive rights,' which is at odds with the Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person and sexuality."
Archbishop Wilson continued: "In adopting this position, Amnesty has moved to a concept of human rights founded not upon the good of the human person, but simply upon the autonomy of the individual.
"This decision has led some people, including some Catholic school groups, to withdraw from membership of Amnesty International and to seek other ways in which to pursue the same aims of fighting injustice, ending human rights abuses and standing in solidarity with the imprisoned and the oppressed."
Ignored
Archbishop Wilson said that he had written two letters on behalf of the Australian bishops' conference during the past year, urging Amnesty International to abandon the policy change.
"Unfortunately," he said, "despite similar entreaties from people the world over, Amnesty International decided to proceed with the new policy."
"We will now consider the situation carefully," the 56-year-old prelate explained, "in consultation with the Catholic education sector and the many other arms of the Catholic Church in Australia which have had association with Amnesty International."
"It is not too late," Archbishop Wilson concluded, "for Amnesty International to take stock of the damage being caused by this change of policy and to return to its former neutral stance on abortion. I would urge them to do so."
ZE07091137 - 2007-09-11