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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 25. 25th September 1974
Below: A letter received by a member of the Auckland Medical Aid Centre trustee board. Auckland Medical Aid Centre, Remuera
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. "