Priests for Life Supports pro-life efforts in Western Australia

Warns against misinterpretation of Evangelium Vitae

The Priests for Life Association, an international movement of Catholic clergy specially dedicated to advancing the pro-life cause, expressed their strong support today for the pro-life efforts currently underway in Western Australia, to maintain legal protection for children in the womb.

"We want to thank especially Archbishop Barry Hickey for the strong leadership he demonstrates in speaking up for the most defenseless among us," Fr. Frank Pavone said. Fr. Frank Pavone coordinates the international Priests for Life movement from Rome.

"We are also aware that some legislators are invoking the Holy Father's words in Evangelium Vitae to justify voting for a change in the law. However, in no way does the Encyclical envision a situation in which it is morally justified to support a law that reduces the protection given to human life. Section 73 speaks about the conditions under which one can work for a less-than-perfect law, with the understanding that the new law in question would be an improvement over what was in place before.

"In the proposals for a change of law in Western Australia, we are not talking about an improvement for the unborn. We are talking about an abandonment."

The Priests for Life association further promised to work closely with the Church in Australia in the months and years ahead. "Whatever the outcome of the present battle, the pro-life forces of Australia can count on our active collaboration in working for the protection of children and their parents from the horrors of abortion," stated Anthony DeStefano, the Executive Director.

The Priests for Life Association, an international movement of Catholic clergy specially dedicated to advancing the pro-life cause, expressed their strong support today for the pro-life efforts currently underway in Western Australia, to maintain legal protection for children in the womb.

"We want to thank especially Archbishop Barry Hickey for the strong leadership he demonstrates in speaking up for the most defenseless among us," Fr. Frank Pavone said. Fr. Frank Pavone coordinates the international Priests for Life movement from Rome.

"We are also aware that some legislators are invoking the Holy Father's words in Evangelium Vitae to justify voting for a change in the law. However, in no way does the Encyclical envision a situation in which it is morally justified to support a law that reduces the protection given to human life. Section 73 speaks about the conditions under which one can work for a less-than-perfect law, with the understanding that the new law in question would be an improvement over what was in place before.

"In the proposals for a change of law in Western Australia, we are not talking about an improvement for the unborn. We are talking about an abandonment."

The Priests for Life association further promised to work closely with the Church in Australia in the months and years ahead. "Whatever the outcome of the present battle, the pro-life forces of Australia can count on our active collaboration in working for the protection of children and their parents from the horrors of abortion," stated Anthony DeStefano, the Executive Director.