Justice Education in Catholic Schools

Schools are advised that on 13 April 2007, the International Executive of Amnesty International adopted a policy on '"selected aspects of abortion".

Cardinal Renato Martino,
president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, has commented on this decision by indicating Amnesty had "betrayed its mission" by abandoning its traditional neutral policy on abortion in favor of a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy.

"To selectively justify abortion, even in the cases of rape, is to define the innocent child within the womb as an enemy, a 'thing' that must be destroyed," Cardinal Martino wrote. "How can we say that killing a child in some cases is good and in other cases it is evil?

Schools are adivsed that the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference will consider this departure by Amnesty from its defence of Human Rights - there is no international covenants or treaties that define or imply any rights regarding abortion - oat its next meeting on 2nd August 2007. In the iterim schools should refrain from collecting money on behalf of Amnesty International.

Schools may wish to contact Australian President Georgina Perry (georgina_perry@amnesty.org.au), ahead of the International Conference in Mexico (11- 17th August 2007) encouraging Amnesty to revert to its neutral position on abortion.

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The following schools were active in Amnesty International.

Catholic Ladies College particpates in Amnesty International letter writing campaigns to protect Human Rights throughout the world

Amnesty International believes that human rights are worth fighting for where and whenever threats to them occur. The Genazzano FCJ College group is part of a worldwide membership, committed to the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience and argues for justice and the abolition of torture for all prisoners.Student members raise awareness through videos, posters and speakers, organise fundraising initiatives and write letters on behalf of prisoners of conscience.

Amnesty International The leaders of this group come from Year 12 and they are supported by students from all levels. They hold lunch-time meetings to circulate information, arrange letter writing campaigns and plan fund raising activities. In October members observe Candle day with fund raising and consciousness raising activities.