Second Canadian Bishop Denounces Amnesty International for Move to Abortion Advocacy

By Gudrun Schultz

VANCOUVER, B.C., June 12, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Archbishop Raymond Roussin, of the Roman Catholic diocese of Vancouver, spoke out against Amnesty International last week, condemning the organization’s move to “endorse abortion as a so-called human right,” reported CanWest News Service on Friday.

“If Amnesty International moves in such a direction, then the ultimate tragic irony results: a world-wide organization which has done such a good job at standing in solidarity with and helping to protect individual and human communities whose human rights are under attack is moving against those who are arguably the most innocent and defence-less victims – the unborn infants of the world,” said Archbishop Roussin.

“I can only pray and hope that [they] will rethink such a drastic and sad proposed decision, which would to my mind cut the heart out of the purpose of Amnesty International.”

The Vancouver Archbishop is the second Canadian bishop to speak out against the organization’s growing interest in the promotion of abortion as a human right. Last month, Calgary Bishop Fred Henry told LifeSiteNews.com, “The proposal of Amnesty International to enter into abortion advocacy is an ill-conceived and gross betrayal of their mission to campaign for human rights.”

Bishop Henry has already stated his intention of withdrawing financial support from the organization, as have concerned Catholics worldwide. The organization is facing a massive loss of membership and funding from the pull-out of Catholic participation, should the endorsement of abortion become policy.

The Canadian branch of AI approved the controversial proposal last month, joining branches in the United Kingdom and New Zealand who have also approved the move. The international organization will make a decision on advocating for the decriminalization of abortion this July and will make a decision on advocating for abortion on demand next year.