As debate on the abortion law reform bill began in Victoria's Upper House, Melbourne's Archbishop opened a Pregnancy Assistance Centre in Frankston south of the city saying that the womb had become an endangered area.
The not-for-profit incorporated charity is the initiative of parishioners drawn from a number of parishes in the Mornington Peninsula Deanery, and supported by the parish priest of St Francis Xavier's Frankston, Fr Denis Stanley, according to a media statement from the centre.
The Committee of Management is headed by Mrs Elizabeth Ransom (President), and Mrs Denise Den Bakker (Vice President).
The Young Street shopfront premises were crowded with wellwishers with dozens of spectators spilling onto the pavement outside to welcome the Archbishop.
Archbishop Hart said: "I am particularly delighted to be asked to formally open this Pregnancy Assistance Centre. It will fill a critical gap on the Mornington Peninsula and beyond, especially for young and needy people who've been seeking information and resources about the various challenges of pregnancy.
"Such a centre has been talked about for years and it has been due to the persistent efforts of some determined local mothers that we're gathered for this ceremonial opening today. I salute their efforts.
"This centre is to be staffed by a host of local Mums.... aunts and grandmothers too...who've all volunteered to pool and share their own wealth of experience that have helped them survive personal difficulty, or trying circumstances. Free pregnancy tests will be among the services offered along with financial, family and relationship support.
"At a time when our State parliamentarians are debating changes to our abortion laws, communities will welcome the establishment of centres such as these which very much identify with the anxiety of single mothers, mums with several young children and those who've also been abandoned by partner or families. One may be forgiven for suggesting that to live in the womb or old age should be considered endangered areas," Archbishop Hart warned.
"Unplanned pregnancies don't have to be regarded as crises to trigger alarm or despair. Environments like this will provide emotional support, assistance and advice without pressure. Women and girls in such distress, and their partners, will be particularly welcomed here."
The centre, modelled on Pregnancy Assistance in Perth, is staffed by trained volunteers.
Rudd called to intervene
Meanwhile, the Doctors in Conscience Against Abortion Bill group says it has received legal advice that finds the Bill is in conflict with Victoria's Charter of Rights and Responsibilities and the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), The Australian says.
The legal opinion by Neil Young QC, found that if the Bill became law it would put the Federal Government in breach of its treaty obligation.
Group spokeswoman Dr Mary Lewis called on Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to intervene.
"The Australian Government has an obligation to ensure Australia's laws are consistent with the charter, and we call upon Mr Rudd to intervene with Victorian Premier John Brumby and insist that Victoria not proceed with this legislation," Dr Lewis said today.
"The Bill is unprecedented in the western world, in imposing laws that would force doctors to act in violation of their conscientious beliefs by actively assisting patients to obtain an abortion."
And as debate resumed in Parliament, anti-abortion MP Peter Kavanagh, of the DLP, used legal advice prepared for Catholic Health Australia to argue that the entire debate was out of order.
Mr Kavanagh said the Government's own charter of human rights had not been followed, so the Parliament should not consider the bill.
But the tactic was rebuffed by Legislative Council president Robert Smith, who said he had no power to stop the debate before it began.
SOURCE
Archbishop Hart opens Frankston Pregnancy Assistance Centre (Frankston Pregnancy Assistance Centre, Media Release, 7/10/08)
Call for PM into step in over abortion (The Australian, 7/10/08)
Moves in upper house fail to derail debate on abortion bill (The Age, 8/10/08)
OTHER STORIES
Cardinal caught up in Catholic row as celebrity hospital omits clause banning abortion (UK Daily Mail, 7/10/08)