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Bishop's Statements
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Bishop's Statements
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Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
Statement from Kevin Michael Manning, Bishop of Parramatta:
Statement on Premier's Statement Concerning Introduction of Bill on Cloning of Embryonic Stem Cells for Scientific Research.
Foundational Statement
The dignity of the human person lies at the heart of the Catholic position on
all life issues: that dignity is derived from our status as human persons
created by God:
It is a function of law to protect the dignity and rights of human beings. The Catholic Church contends that, from the moment of conception, the embryo is a human person. Human status is not something we gain by reaching some arbitrary level of functionality.
It follows that embryos, as human beings, have rights, and that the law is required to protect those rights. Therefore, legislation ought not permit the use of human embryos for research.
Emotive Arguments Send us on Slippery Slope
Many in favour of the proposed legislation cite the potential advance in the
understanding and cure of severely debilitating medical conditions and
illnesses. Who would not want to see people cured of their illnesses? But we do
not have to use embryonic stem cells.
A most encouraging, picture emerges when we look at the therapeutic applications of adult stem cells. In addition, there is a substantial and growing body of evidence that umbilical cord blood contains cells with properties very similar to embryonic stem cells.
A Conscience Vote
The premier says that members of parliament will be given a conscience vote.
However, no one is free in good conscience to do evil that good may come of it.
Destroying a human embryo, a human being, cannot be justified by appeal to
conscience.
Politicians who vote in favour of killing an embryonic human being, no matter what good they think may come of it, place themselves in opposition to God and the natural law.
Challenge to Premier
Now that other states permit the practice, there is economic pressure on
politicans not to let NSW lag behind other states. I urge Mr Iemma to have the
courage to stand up for what is right rather than for what is expedient.
Kevin Michael Manning
Bishop of Parramatta
31 May 2007
