By John-Henry Westen

OTTAWA, July 19, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Noting that Amnesty International is deliberating supporting abortion as a human right this summer and in 2007, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) yesterday issued a statement saying they “would find it most regrettable if Amnesty International were to adopt a position promoting access to abortion.”

Last month Vatican Cardinal Renato Martino condemned Amnesty’s proposed move. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06062106.html)Â

According to reporters who have spoken to Amnesty International’s leadership, the organization is most concerned about the potentialÂloss of support stemming from their proposed move into abortion advocacy. The CCCB statement strikes at the heart of that fear noting that the move will taint the organization’s work and cut funding from Catholics.“Such a change in policy would be considered by the Catholic Bishops of Canada to be a step backwards for an organization that has done such outstanding work in defending human life and the rights of the most vulnerable,” said the CCCB.“This change in policy would make it difficult for Catholics to continue supporting the work of Amnesty International.”

In May, Canadian Bishop Fred Henry and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada told LifeSiteNews.com that Amnesty’s move would hurt their support from Christians. (http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/may/06050805.html)

The CCCB states, “As clearly and consistently affirmed in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the purposeful destruction of the human embryo is immoral.” They conclude noting that “Christians are called to be ‘people of life and for life….’ This involves choosing life in small ways and large, standing up for life even when it is small and fragile, like the embryo, and supporting couples who struggle …. The Scriptures proclaim that faith and life are integrally related.”

See related LifeSiteNews.com editorial:

  To Amnesty International: As a Person of Colour I Oppose the Discrimination Against the Unborn
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/may/06052601.html