Dear Parish Priests, Pastoral Leaders, Parish Administrators & other interested parties,
All Catholics are encouraged to have their say about the proposed alternative abortion law currently before parliament. The submission process closes in four weeks on Thursday 19 September: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/52SCAL_SCF_BILL_89814/abortion-legislation-bill
To assist people in being better informed about the proposed law changes and to encourage as many people as possible to make a submission, The Nathaniel Centre has been asked by the NZ Catholic Bishops to prepare a resource on their behalf. This is attached as a pdf file. The resource includes a message from all of our Bishops.
It is hoped that every parish will make a photocopy of this one-page double-sided resource for distribution to parishioners this upcoming weekend (24/25 August) and beyond. The Guide includes basic information about the proposed new law and offers a range of points that will assist people in making a submission. It also includes details of how a submission can be made.
For the Bishops statement from earlier this month in response to the proposed bill, click here.
We also warmly encourage you to make the resource available on your websites and by way of social media.
If you have any questions, you can email/contact the following diocesan representative:
Auckland: email: aucklandcatholicnetwork@gmail.com
Hamilton: Margaret McDonald – margie.terrytoo@hotmail.com – 0 21 066 1622
Palmerston North: Dave Mullin – dmullin@pndiocese.org.nz
Wellington: dedicated email: respectlife@wn.catholic.org.nz
Christchurch: Maria Schmetzer – John Paul II Centre for Life – (03) 3513 225
Dunedin: Fr Gerard Aynsley – gerard.aynsley@gmail.com