Thousands of people gathered in Sydney’s Martin Place last night, to send a strong message to the opposite State Parliament of NSW to “ditch the bill”, for the decriminalisation of abortion.
Among the attendees were many from Sydney’s Greek-Orthodox flock, including Australia’s Archbishop Mr Makarios.
Archbishop Makarios spoke to a peaceful crowd alongside a number of leaders from various Christian denominations, as well as state and federal politicians.
“I guess we are all united,” the Archbishop said to open his address.
“No law should take away a child’s right to life, let alone take it away in such a barbaric manner.”
“Under the proposed legislation, such violent acts can be committed for any reason, on any baby up to 5-and-a-half months pregnant,’ the Archbishop continued, “even if… the parents are having a girl and they only wanted a boy.”
“New South Wales abolished the death penalty for murder in 1955; now, it is being reintroduced.”
“Life begins from the first time of the conception”
After his speech at the rally’s makeshift podium, Makarios spoke to the Greek Language program, stressing that “the Orthodox Faith and Tradition unequivocally teach that life begins from the first time of the conception, that the life of the unborn is sacred and infinitely valued by God, and therefore must be considered with the same dignity and worth we enjoy ourselves”
Other speakers at the gathering were, Federal Nationals MPO, Barnaby Joyce, State Liberal MP, Tanya Davies, state Labor MP, Tania Mihailuk, Sydney Catholic Archbishop, Anthony Fisher, Melkite Catholic Bishop Robert Rabbat, the Rev. Fred Nile, Member of the Legislative Council for the Christian Democratic Party, and others.
A petition calling for upper house members to vote against the bill, signed by more than 77,000 people, was handed to Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC Robert Borsak who will table it to parliament.
Source: neoskosmos.com, sbs.com.au
