The Church view on abortion
1982 B.B. Min. 156
32. Note with appreciation the public stance of total opposition to abortion on demand declared by the Federal Government’s minister of Home Affairs, and convey our encouragement in this regard to Mr. McVeigh.
1983 B.B. Min. 123
20. Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
21. Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
1991 B.B. Min. 203
14. (a) Urge all Kirk Sessions and Congregational Members to be prayerfully and graciously active in lobbying politicians and various community groups to:
i oppose abortion as a means of birth control or of avoiding proper parental responsibilities in the case of “unwanted” pregnancies;
ii oppose any further easing of the Abortion Law in Queensland.
(b) Urge all Kirk Sessions and Congregational Members to familiarize themselves with the contemporary issues of abortion through such resource groups as Right to Life (Australia) and Right to Life (Queensland).
(c) Advise Right to Life (Australia) and Right to Life (Queensland) of the above.
1992 B.B. Min. 116
6. (a) Note 1980 BB Min.116.8 and 1983 BB Min.123.17-21.
(b) Declare that personhood is to be considered to occur from the commencement of conception which is from the penetration of the wall of the ovum by a sperm.
(c) Request the Committee to consult with competent Christian medical practitioners prior to the presentation of a report to the next Assembly on the subject of oral contraception.
1993 B.B. Min. 227
11. Endorse the memorandum re: Status of Laws Relating to Abortion in Queensland, forwarded by the Clerk of Assembly to the Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, The Courier Mail (Church Column) and the media.
1994 B.B. Min. 199
15. Advise the Premier, with copies to the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and the Media, that The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to any move that would further liberalise laws relating to abortion in Queensland, and that the position of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland in relation to abortion is as contained in BB 1983 Min.123.20,21 viz:
20. “Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
21. Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.”
1994 B.B. Min. 199
16. Advise the Premier, Attorney General, Minister for Health, Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and the Media that it regards personhood to commence at conception and that it regards the harvesting of body parts from aborted foetuses as an affront to the sanctity of human life.
1994 Commission of Assembly August 10 Min. 16
MINUTE 17 Matter of Abortifacient – RU486
The Clerk laid on the table a communication from the Public Questions and Communications Committee and moved that it be received.
The motion was seconded and approved.
It was moved, seconded and approved that the Commission:-
Advise the Federal Minister of Family Services, with copies to The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Leader of the Federal Liberal Party, the Leader of the Federal National Party and the Media, that:
i The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to trials of RU486 on the grounds that it is an abortifacient, and out of concern for the health and welfare of the women involved in those trials.
ii The position of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland on abortion is set out in the following minute:
1983 BB Minute 123.20,21
22. Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
23. Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
iii We request the Minister’s intervention to stop the proposed RU486 trials from continuing.
1995 B.B 74
3. Endorse the following responses –
(c) that of the Commission of Assembly on the matter of the abortifacient RU486.
iii ABORTIFACIENT – RU486
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF QUEENSLAND
P.O. Box 286
16 August 1994 BROADWAY Q 4006
MEMORANDUMTO: The Federal Minister of Family Services, The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Federal Opposition, the Leader of the Federal Liberal Party, the Leader of the Federal National Party and the Media.
FROM: The Clerk of Assembly
SUBJECT: ABORTIFACIENT – RU486
The Commission of Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, which met on 10th August 1994, made the following resolutions:
i The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to trials of RU486 on the grounds that it is an abortifacient, and out of concern for the health and welfare of the women involved in those trials.
ii The position of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland on abortion is set out as follows:
Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned above should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
We request the Minister’s intervention to stop the proposed RU486 trials from continuing.
Very Rev. Dr. K.J. Gardner, O.B.E.
1995 B.B 74
8. 1. Note:
(a) Blue Book 1992 Minute 166:
Declare that personhood is to be considered to occur from the commencement of conception which is from the penetration of the wall of the ovum by a sperm.
(b) 1980 BB Minute 116:
Affirm the Biblical teaching of the Right to Life, especially as this applies to the unborn child, that all life is sacred to God, and that human life is a gift of God from conception.
(c) 1983 BB Minute 123.20,21:
20. Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
21. Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
2. Advise the Premier of Queensland with copies to the Minister for Health, the Attorney General, the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, the Leader of the Parliamentary National Party, Right to Life Australia, Right to Life Queensland, and the Media, that the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland:
(i) regards personhood to commence from the beginning of conception and that the lives of persons created in the image and likeness of God are unique and sacred, and that it has declared its position in this matter and the matter of abortion as follows:-
(a) 1992 Blue Book Minute 166:
Declare that personhood is to be considered to occur from the commencement of conception which is from the penetration of the wall of the ovum by a sperm.
(b) 1980 BB Minute 116:
Affirm the Biblical teaching of the Right to Life, especially as this applies to the unborn child, that all life is sacred to God, and that human life is a gift of God from conception.
(c) 1983 BB Minute 123.20,21:
20. Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable, except where at least two competent medical authorities (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
21. Affirm that if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
(ii) in the light of media reports of alleged breaking of laws relating to abortion, calls for the vigorous application of the current sections of the Criminal Code dealing with abortion so that the lives of the unborn are better protected; and
(iii) calls upon the Government of Queensland to reframe the laws relating to abortion in accordance with the position held by the Presbyterian Church of Queensland.
2005 B.B. MIN. 98
12. Note that a petition has been tabled in the Queensland Parliament, (tabled paper number 464-05) seeking the repeal of sections 224, 225 and 226 of the Criminal Code dealing with abortion.
13. Advise the Premier, the Attorney General, the Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, the Leader of the Parliamentary National Party and the media that:
(a) The Presbyterian Church of Queensland holds the following position on abortion:
1980 Blue Book Minute 116
That the Assembly:
8. Affirm the Biblical teaching of the Right to Life, especially as this applies to the unborn child, that all life is sacred to God, and that human life is a gift of God from conception.
1983 Blue Book Minute 123:
That the Assembly:
20. Affirm that abortion is always unacceptable – except where two competent medical practitioners (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of a mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue.
21. Affirm if and when the rare contingency mentioned in clause 20 should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
(b) That the Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to any further weakening of the Criminal Law as it relates to abortion.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
10. Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement reaffirming the position of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland on the origins of life and abortion, and a statement that it is opposed to any moves, including legalisation of RU-486 which would make abortion on demand more readily available. (COA November 2005, Minute 35.
2008 B.B. MIN. 102
17. Note the communication from the Moderator and the Clerk of Assembly to the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, Mrs Bonny Barry and Members of Parliament on the matter of decriminalisation of abortion.
18. Request Presbyteries and Sessions to be aware that there are ongoing moves to decriminalise abortion in Queensland and to establish a good working relationship with their local Member of the House of Representatives.
Appendix 3
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF ASSEMBLY
8 April 2008
Our ref: CL07 Abortion
Ms Bonny Barry, MP
3/1315 Gympie Road
ASPLEY Q 4034
Dear Ms Barry
Through media outlets, I am led to believe that you will introduce a bill to amend the Criminal Code to allow for abortion on demand. As Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, it is only fair that I should acquaint you with the Church’s stance on this issue. Over the years, there has been much debate at the various courts of the Church on this subject and our position is as follows:
We affirm the Biblical teaching of the Right to Life, especially as this applies to the unborn child, that all life is sacred to God, and that human life is a gift of God from conception.
Further affirm that abortion is always unacceptable – except where two competent medical practitioners (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of the mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue and affirm if and when the rare contingency mentioned above should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to any further weakening of the Criminal Law as it relates to abortion.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this question with you to further explain the Church’s concern that God’s law should not be further eroded.
Yours faithfully
Rt Rev Kim Dale (Rev) Ron Clark
Moderator Clerk of Assembly
2009 B.B. MIN. 106
10.Request Presbyteries and Sessions to be aware that there are ongoing moves to decriminalise abortion in Queensland and to establish a good working relationship with their local Member of the Legislative Assembly.
19. Note the Submission on the Funding of Abortion as Part of Australian Government Aid issued by the Moderator and the Clerk, with the concurrence of the Convener of the Public Questions and Communications Committee, and incorporate a copy in the Record of the Assembly.
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF ASSEMBLY
12 March 2009
Dear Sir or Madam
Re: funding of abortion as part of Australian Government overseas aid
Through media outlets, I am led to believe that the Australian Government will now fund abortions as part of its Overseas Aid Package. As Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, it is only fair that I should acquaint you with the Church’s stance on this issue. Over the years, there has been much debate at the various courts of the Church on this subject and our position is as follows:
We affirm the Biblical teaching of the Right to Life, especially as this applies to the unborn child, that all life is sacred to God, and that human life is a gift of God from conception.
Further affirm that abortion is always unacceptable – except where two competent medical practitioners (other than the one under consideration to perform the abortion) deem the abortion essential to protect the life of the mother or of her prenatal child (or children), when threatened with immediate death, should the pregnancy continue and affirm if and when the rare contingency mentioned above should ever arise, everything medically possible also be done to try to ensure the continuation of the lives of all that are thus being threatened.
The Presbyterian Church of Queensland is opposed to the funding of abortions in Australia and Overseas, apart from those terminations which meet the conditions listed above.
Yours faithfully
(Rt Rev) John Gilmour, Moderator (Rev) Ron Clark, Clerk of Assembly