The Catholic Weekly 14 February 2021

catholicweekly.com.au 2 NEWS 14, February, 2021 Call 02 9649 6423 or visit www.catholiccemeteries.com.au Consecrated lawns and chapels Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium Monthly mass for the Repose of Souls Funeral directors available for a Catholic service Bereavement pastoral care Serving the Catholic community for over 150 years FROM PAGE 1 “But particularly in areas of moral and ethical contro- versy and developing medi- cal science courts are poorly equipped to reach outcomes which are better reached by parliament. “Parliaments have more time than courts to consider competing interest and argu- ments and should proceed with caution before introduc- ing laws of concern to such a range of groups within socie- ty. Here there seems to have been a lack of willingness by the Parliament to really en- gage with the concerns ex- pressed and that is very prob- lematic.” John Steenhof, managing director of the Human Rights Law Alliance, said that as “fundamental flaws” were not addressed with amendments, the new law “is a trap ready to spring on any Victorian who does not subscribe to fash- ionable ideology on sexuality and gender and who has the temerity to share their views”. “The crosshairs are par- ticularly focused on Chris- tians and others who have deep convictions on sexual ethics,” he added. Dr Kerryn Rubin, chair of the Victorian branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychi- atrists, told media that the insufficient clarity over what is considered a conversion practice in the law meant that some people would “stop do- ing the valuable work they are doing over fears it will be con- sidered conversion therapy”. “The unintended conse- quence is that it will make people more and more reti- cent to support people who really need our help,” Dr Ru- bin said. Ethicist Margaret Somer- ville said one of the basic presumptions of health- care ethics, along with pa- tient-centred decision-mak- ing, is informed consent. “Informed consent already requires that there be no co- ercion or undue influence on a person to accept treatment,” she said. “Where there is clear pro- fessional opinion that some form of intervention is seri- ously harmful then of course there’s a reason to stop that kind of intervention, espe- cially if vulnerable people are at risk. “However, while we have obligations to protect vul- nerable people, it’s not clear whether this law, as drafted, will do more good than harm. “And one thing we need to be very careful about is when what we’re doing is restrict- ing the freedom of competent adults to consent to an inter- vention which they believe will benefit them.” Other critics of the new law point to the fact that it heavily promotes transgender con- version. Kirralie Smith of advocacy organisation Binary Australia slammed the passing of the “outrageously bigoted bill”. “Politicians have con- demned vulnerable sufferers to a life of daily medications, possible sterilisation and in- fertility and mutilation via surgery of perfectly healthy body parts,” Ms Smith said. “Every politician who has vot- ed for this bill has neglected the care and rights of chil- dren. “They have usurped paren- tal rights, and put children in danger.” In a submission to parlia- ment in opposition to the pro- posed law, the Sydney-based LGB Alliance Australia, an ad- vocacy group for people with same-sex sexual orientation, slammed it as an “unasked for, unnecessary, deceptive bill”. “It is deeply disturbing that any legislation should be I n this edition News Movies, books Archbishop’s homily Open Days Feature 1-11 8-9 13-24 32-33 Our story begins in 1839 with the Australasian Chronicle, continuing with the Freeman’s Journal in 1850. Level 13, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. Phone (02) 9390 5400 | Vol 73, No 5145. The Catholic Weekly is published by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney ABN 60 471 267 587 and is printed by ACM Australian Community Media, 159 Bells Line of Road, North Richmond NSW, 2754. SUB-EDITOR Peter Rosengren (02) 9390 5400 REPORTERS Marilyn Rodrigues (02) 9390 5410 David Ryan (02) 9390 5408 Debbie Cramsie (02) 9390 5396 SUBSCRIPTIONS Rita Ng (02) 9390 5411 ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Steve Richards (02) 9390 5404 DESIGNERS Renate Cassis Mathew De Sousa LEAVE A GIFT Archdiocese of Sydney Catholic CHARITIES Order your FREE Wills and Bequests Guide today 1800 753 959 or [email protected] myWill SUPPORTINGTHE MINISTRIES OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY Leaving a gift in a Faith in the trajectory of life catch it now at: thiscatholiclife.com.au Alarm spreads on law Almost anyone can be prosecuted for any reason, say critics Despite every reasonable at- tempt to meet and discuss the problematic aspects of this Bill, faith leaders have met a wall of silence” Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli