WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1984, PAGE 3 Locl Ctholicbisop supports ant«i-aborin stand, s ays its the most pressing moral issue of the decade Whlle he doesn't in- tend to take as active a stand as his brothers, Whitby's Roman Catholie Bishop suppor- ts the recent public fstands they'have taken o bortion. B h aveacross urging their adherants to vote against any can- didate who supports the Bishoplh pro-h*oice stand on abortion. Last week, the. Bishops in Manitoba went as far as to issue a pastoral letter asking Catholics to support only anti-abortion can- didates. Bishop Robert Clune, auxiliary Bishop of Toronto, told the Free Press last week that for many Catholics - especially those in the hierarchy of the Church - abortion is the most pressing moral issue of the decade. Clune, who lives and works out of the parish 0f St. John the Evangelist on Giffard St., said that there are approximately 68,00 abortions performed in Canada every year and that the churcli feels that this* is contrary to the citizen's most basic civil right. "We think of it as the Most important issue," Clune said, "Life is the most essential value. Can you turn your back Bridge scores The followin'g are the resuits of last week's play at the Whitby Curling Duplicate Bridge Club North and South: Mrs. Bruce McColl and Art Conrad, 109%; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Winter, 107; Mrs. P.A. Chubb and Mrs. C.E. Stewart, 1061/2; and, Perry Laurence and AI Leslie, 99. East and West: Clyde Cockburn and Joe Ar- buthnot, 116; Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wharrie, 1021/; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Oliver, 101; and, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Woodrow, 96. on that if you believe that life begins at con- ception?" In addition to the policies of Canada's three major political parties, Clune is also critical of the position taken bY the pro-choice movement and the femninist movement. "They say that after the child is born it has Conservative Party leaders have stately publically that they support the current abortion legisla'on, only the ,lew Democratics have gone on the record as suppor- ting 'the pro-choice movement.* And for Catholics this poses a dilema because the, teachings 0f the church in 'economic matters cari best be described as democratic socialism. In, other words, politically and economically, the chur- ch sides with the NDP. (The Church of Rome has traditionally con- dexnned both eapitalism and communism as immoral because it feels both strip away in- dividual riglits, especially the riglit to worship.) "While the New Democrat's economic policy is in keeping with Catholic teachîng, their policy on abortion is definitely contrary to Catholic teaching,"' Clune said. He also maintains that if the current provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada are applied, then abortion - especially abortion on demand - is illegal in this country. "If you interpret the law strictly, then there shouldn't be any abortions," Clune said pointing out that abor- tions are only per- missible in Canada if a commîttee of three doc- tors at an accredited hospital believes that carrying the unborn child to term would Rob*ert Clune rig hts - before that it has no riglits, " Clune argues adding that life begins at conception and it is human life and, therefore, has rights. The Bishop also says that there are limited choices in the abortion issue. "But what's the choice - life or no life."1 Whule both the Liberal and the Progressive OSHAWA 140 Simcoe St. S. (Just S. of John St.) 579-1655 AJAX 1313 Harwood N. (Just N. of Hwy. 401) 686-0719 SCAR BORO 553 Markham Rd. (Juat S. of Lawrence) THE WAL,4AP1R CENR rin--- UrPEN IIUI1SUAY FRIDAY NIGHTS UNTIL NINE oiIImIIIIIliii 11il 11 1 O I iI1iiijii iiiiii IIIIIIfIlIIIIII 1111111 detrimentally affect the health of the mother. The Bishop further states that according to most doctors, bringing, the child to term these days is flot difficuit. "Doctors tell me that there is no one they can't bring to term,"I he said, "So, in theory, there is no need for an abortion. " However, Clune stresses that to the church the lives of both the mother and the child are sacred while poin- ting out that medical science is now able to sustain life in pre- mature children born during the fifth month of development. Clune 'told the Free Press that he does not intend to take as high a profile as bis brothers in Manitoba on 'this issue during this election campaign. He also does not intend to issue a pastoral letter and lie does not believe that G. Emmet Cardianal Car- ter, the Archbishop of Toronto will issue one, either. Whitby is part of the Toronto arch- diocese. Whule his congregants have yet to approach him for advise on the matter, Clune did say that he will ,point out their responsibilities as Catholics"' if asked. The Bishop also stressed that the church will flot tell any Catholic which party to vote for or against and will not cross the fine live of separation between church and state. "We are not going to go out and start running the country politically,"1 Clune said. "What we're simply asking is that Catholics to ask their candidates what their individual stands are." And when they know that, then their duty as Catholics will be clear. SunmGoId Fruit Market New rop NOW AVAl LABLE Vista Bella Apples M 4 Litre Basket 4Litre Basket I Ontarjo Large Cabbage 2 For 99~ Freesto ne Red Haven Peaches v 124 Brook St. N. (1/2 block N. of Dundas) Telephone 668-4177 Whitbv 00 ACCESSORIES 'Pins Frame MirrorsI OFF BedBxssCnitrSt *,Bathroom AccessorlosI ExpresSat, ug.2514 *Splce & Spoon Racks & much more. 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