Sanctity of Life affirmative action

[Tracy]

This discussion was started in the context of what the Sydney Dio is doing, but it's probably best to start a new thread.

For all those out there who would like to get involved in doing something practical to lower our abortion rate in Victoria and promote the sanctity of human life, let's put our heads together and come up with some positive and practical steps we can take.
Some ideas:
Publish a brochure, organise a Church service for women who've had abortions, put together a list of referral organisations in Melbourne, put together a list of suitable counsellors, lobby the Diocese, resource parishes with information etc.....

There will be a meeting at St Matthew's Prahran next Monday night, February 9th at 7.30pm.
157A High St Prahran (near corner of High and Chapel St's, Melway Map 58, D6)
Call the office on 9510 3326 or email [e-mail] to rsvp- or just turn up (But it would be good to know rough numbers)

[Jereth]

Hi Tracy and others,

Unfortunately because I'm currently working in regional Victoria I won't bea able to attend your event, but best of luck. Please let us know the outcome on masg.

Can I just share a personal anecdote from someone who's been a rural GP for all of 6 months: in these last 6 months I've had numerous young women come in to see me with surprise pregnancies. Many if not most of them are in hard circumstances -- economically and socially -- as is the case moreso in the country than the city. Many of them would fit that stereotype of a woman who would get an abortion: age 25 or younger, semi/un-reliable relationship, unemployed, on a health care card, dependent on Centrelink payements, dropped out of school & poorly educated, etc.

And yet I'm pleased to say (and very grateful to God) that so far in 6 months not a single one of them has asked me to refer them for an abortion!!! Even against my own expectations they have all wanted to keep their babies. How about that?

[Maybe I'm just on a roll of good luck.. and now I've gone and jinxed it, do'h!]

Jereth

[Tracy]

Jereth, that's so deeply encouraging to hear.
God bless,
Tracy

[Tracy]

We had a great meeting last night and came up with a short list of practical, pastoral strategies that we hope will assist in resourcing parishes and ultimately reduce the number of abortions in Victoria.
Look out for a new website with resources to download soon.