Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 25. 25th September 1974
Catholic propaganda
Catholic propaganda
These are two examples of the tactics used by elements-in the Catholic Church to stir up feelings on the Hospitals' Amendment Bill. The letter below, which has been reprinted in an Auckland paper is about as clear a piece of evidence possible, short of taking a tape recorder into church, of religious intimidation. We have printed the priests comments, and leave readers to judge whose account is fairest.
The circular letter on the right came into our hands yesterday. It was sent to members of the league with a lettercard enclosed to encourage action. It's nice to have such archaic, fanatic views on record, but it is incredible that they still exist today, in 1974, and are the basis of support for Wall's repressive bill.
Dear Sir,
I was most surprised to hear the Priest tell the congregation that we were to write to the Prime Minister to say we objected to the Remuera abortion clinic. He added it was our duty as Catholics to do so. He told us how to word the letter of protest and where to post it. He repeated the details three times. And told us when we came to Mass the following Sunday we would have it on our consciences if we did not write this letter to the Prime Minister, to Mike Moore, and to Mr Faulkner.
I would never want to object to the Abortion Clinic as 1 am certain it is necessary. But I think it is dreadful for Catholics to feel something is on their consciences if they do not obey a parish priest's request to object. This occurred at Three Kings Church on Sunday, August 25th.
Yours respectfully
(name supplied)Father J. W. Rodgers, priest at Three Kings Church, chimed he had not told his congregation to write about the clinic,
"I suggested that they write to Mr Faulkner and Mr Moore in favour of the private member's bill restricting the performance of abortions to public hospitals.
"I did mention that there was a clinic here, which is perfectly true and is public knowledge. I suggested that they also write a letter to the Prime Minister, but in their own words. "
Catholic Women's League - Island Bay Branch
Dear Fellow Parishoner,
Have you written to any Member of Parliament asking him:
To vote in Favour of the Hospitals Amendment Bill which is a Bill now before Parliament to permanently close the Abortion Clinic (Medical Aid Centre) in Auckland and so prevent any further private clinics being opened for abortion.
To oppose any Future amendment to the present law on abortion.
To vote Against the proposed change in the Police Offences Act which will give Children Under 16 legal access to contraceptives.
Easy abortion encourages general promiscuity and causes a rapid rise in Venereal Disease.
Apart from the moral side of killing the unborn which I consider as murder, the psychological effects are often traumatic and can make a girl unfit for marriage.
Contraceptives for children encourage precocious and promiscuous sex with the danger of V.D. It will damage psychologically for life and for future marriage.
Many of our sons who wish and try to be chaste will find it much harder if young girls solicit them with the statement that they are "on the Pill".
Women on the Pill often have to switch from one kind to another dodging morbid side-effects. Youngsters won't bother.
The agitation for easy abortion, "pills for kids", legally acceptable sodomy, erosion of censorship, universal compulsory sex-education are attacks on the Family. Family life, based on durable marriage is the ' only safeguard for an orderly society.
If our Members of Parliament are not confronted with the wishes of the "man in the street" who is raising the New Zealander of today and tomorrow, we will have only ourselves to blame. Help them to help us......Write now Address it to: