Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney is speaking out against the erosion of religious freedom in Australia, noting that laws in favor of abortion and euthanasia are continuing to threaten religious liberty.
In a letter to the Catholic News Agency (CNA), Fisher said that the erosion of religious freedom can be found in a number of different areas. He points to legislation in Australia that attempts to force medical professionals to refer for abortions, as well as laws attempting to silence pro-lifers praying outside abortion facilities.
“If we consider life issues, recent years have seen the complete decriminalization of abortion, with some states requiring medical professionals with a conscientious objection to nonetheless refer a patient to an abortion provider,” he said, also noting that abortion has been given “special protection, with even silent prayer within 150 meters [about 492 feet] of an abortion clinic now a criminal offense in many states.” This isn’t just the case in Australia; silent prayer has been criminalized near abortion facilities in parts of the UK, as well.
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Fisher also points to the radical expansion of assisted suicide and euthanasia, noting that even religious-run organizations are required to participate. In Australia, voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is legal in all states except for the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory; Live Action News has documented the alarming rise in assisted death rates within the country.
“At the other end of life, euthanasia has also been legalized, and while doctors do not have to participate in euthanasia and assisted suicide, Catholic aged-care facilities in three states are required to host kill teams on site to provide lethal drugs to a patient,” Fisher said.
Fisher ended with a call to action for people of faith in fighting the constant breakdown of religious liberties. “We must be very serious about proclaiming the truth of marriage and family by the way we live our lives,” he told CNA. “The best thing we can do to protect religious freedom is to be serious about being saints for our time, committing ourselves to prayer, service, and the sacramental life.”
