Victoria's Abortion Reform Act 2008

A little over a year ago, abortion was "decriminalised" in the State of Victoria (where my husband and I are currently living) in Australia. As a result, abortion is available on demand up to 24 weeks gestation. From 25 weeks and up to birth, abortion is also legal if the woman has the consent of two doctors.

In addition, nurses and pharmacists can distribute drugs to cause the abortion of babies less than 24 weeks gestation, without consulting a medical practitioner. This is also possible after 25 weeks under the supervision of a doctor. The law also requires doctors who have a moral objection to abortion to refer a woman seeking an abortion to a doctor who will perform it.

Basically, Victoria has implemented one of the most liberal abortiona laws in the world. The unborn fetus has virtually no rights. There is no requirement to record abortion procedures or even report the negative effects it can have on women. Women seeking an abortion have no access to accurate information or speak to counselors about the risks involved for them and their child, so that they can make an informed decision.

I find it ironic that in hospitals of this developed country, one doctor may be making a great effort to save the life of a premature baby, while in an another room an infant, perhaps even older than the premature baby can be killed.

I realize this is shocking and discouraging, but I felt the need to write about this, so that we can pray for the Australian women facing difficult pregnancies, and for the health care practitioners that are standing up for life. The law is too new to study the effects it has had on the nation, but I have no doubt that consequences will soon follow.

The Catholic Church of Australia is speaking out against this Reform Act. Even Pope Benedict XIV observed during his visit to Australia for World Youth Day 2008:

"This secularist vision seeks to explain human life and shape society with little or no reference to the creator. Its presents itself as neutral, impation and inclusive to everyone. But in reality, like every ideology, secularism imposes a world-view. If God is irrelevant to public life, then society will be shaped in a godless image. When God is eclipsed, our ability to recognise the natural order, purpose, and the "good" begins to wane. What was ostensibly promoted as human ingenuity soon manifests itself as folly, greed and selfish exploitation".

I think that this message could easily be addressed to the United States as well... Let's pray for Australia's conversion to a culture of life and love, as well as for our own nation, to avoid following in these footsteps.