Abortion law could force Catholic hospitals to close, Australian archbishop warns
September 23, 2008
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, Australia, has warned lawmakers that Catholic hospitals could be forced to close down if the state of Victoria enacts proposed abortion legislation.
The archbishop's strong warning-- conveyed in a letter to all members of the state legislature-- has created uncertainties about the fate of the legislation, which had already been approved by the lower chamber. The bill would expand access to legal abortion, particularly in cases that were deemed "emergencies." Doctors morally opposed to abortion would be obligated to refer women to other doctors for the procedure.
Archbishop Hart said that rather than violate moral principles the Church could close the maternity wards that now see one-third of the births in Victoria.
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Further information:
- Catholic maternity wards 'face closure' (ABC Australia)
- Victoria's Catholic hospitals warn of closure over abortion bill (Radio Australia)
- Support for bill now looks shaky (Sydney Morning Herald)
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