Right to Life New Zealand

Upholding the sanctity of Human life and Standing Up for the Vulnerable

Why are the Churches silent?

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Media Release 16 January 2021

Right to Life believes that the Christian churches should be at the forefront in our nation leading the campaign in support of Right to Life’s campaign to have Parliament pass the Status of Unborn Children bill. This bill gives recognition to the humanity of the unborn child from conception endowed by its Creator with a right to life.

Right to Life believes that outside every abortion facility in New Zealand there should be a sign that proclaims that,” this abortion clinic operates with the permission of the local churches.” They choose not to hear the silent scream of the unborn being poisoned, violently dismembered and sucked from their mother’s womb, nor do they hear the anguished cries of the wounded and distraught mothers, the second victim of abortion. It is now time for this permission to be withdrawn.

It is an appalling injustice and a crime against humanity that the law should deny the humanity and  right to life of the unborn in order that it may be killed, in the words of our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern as” a reproductive choice for women.”

We believe that many local churches:-

  • Will refrain from criticising or opposing the violent killing of God’s precious infants, sanctioned and funded by the government.
  • Will refrain from teaching that abortion is intrinsically evil and a violation of God’s fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.”
  • Will refrain from encouraging the electorate not to vote for Members of Parliament and political parties that support the killing of the innocent unborn.
  • Will refrain from teaching that human life begins at conception and is endowed by its Creator with human rights, the foundation right being an inalienable right to life.
  • Will refrain from teaching that the abortion law is unjust in denying the humanity of the unborn child and its right to life until it is born.

Every child at conception is a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God’s loving creation that deserves our respect and protection.

Justice Miller stated in his judgement in the High Court in Wellington in 2008, in the case of Right to Life N.Z v. the Abortion Supervisory Committee, that:-

“The rule according human rights only at birth is founded on convenience rather than medical or moral grounds,”

“A legal right to life would be incongruous in such a law, for it would treat the unborn child as a separate legal person, possessing a status fundamentally incompatible with induced abortion, far from modifying the born alive rule, the abortion law rests on it.”

Right to Life commends those Churches that do courageously defend the right to life of the unborn child and the health and welfare of the mother.

Ken Orr,

Spokesperson,

Right to Life

David Seymour’s Incongruous Claim about Catholic Bishops and God’s Commandments

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In an astounding statement by the leader of Act David Seymour, the author of the dangerous End of Life Choice Bill has said that the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand need to uphold the ninth commandment “Thou shalt not bare false witness against thy neighbour”.

It would however seem that Mr Seymour is not cognisant of the 5th Commandment “Thou Shalt not Kill”.

David  Seymour is accusing the Bishops of promoting falsehoods. The Bishops have a duty to defend human rights and the right to life of every human being. It is inappropriate for David Seymour to seek to silence our religious leaders. This follows a statement on the End of Life Choice Act, signed by 37 of New Zealand’s religious leaders. David Seymour singled out New Zealand’s Catholic Bishops and advised them that they needed to follow the ninth commandment and to ‘stop bearing false witness against their neighbours in political debates”.

David Seymour apparently believes that the bishops are giving false witness by raising concerns about the End of Life Choice Act that if passed in the referendum, would allow doctors to give a lethal injection or dose to their patients or assist in their suicide.

What Seymour seems to think bares false witness must somehow been found among the following points made by the Bishops.

Right to Life invites David Seymour to tell us exactly what in the following summary of the concerns made by the bishops, he believes to be falsehood and bears false witness.

  • The Act is not just designed for a small number of hard cases. It is broader than laws in Victoria and the United States because it allows both assisted suicide and euthanasia.
  • This is not an Act of ‘last resort’ – there is no requirement to try effective treatments or palliative care. There is also no corresponding right in the proposed law for people to access palliative care.
  • People will be able to access an assisted death without being in any physical pain. Overseas statistics show people choose assisted death primarily out of a fear of being a burden and/or being disabled.
  • The Act does not require a patient to discuss their decision with a family member or other significant person. All eligible persons, 18 years and over, could choose an assisted death without family knowing.
  • There is no mandatory psychological assessment or effective screening for depression. Research shows that requests for an assisted death are commonly influenced by depression, something that is extremely difficult to detect and often mistaken for ‘appropriate sadness’.
  • The NZ Medical Association and Hospice NZ, who oppose the Act,3 share concerns that it lacks processes enabling clinicians to be confident a person is making their request free of pressure from others.
  • The two doctor ‘safeguard’ is weak; neither of the doctors needs to have met the person previously.
  • There is no mandatory stand-down period as there is in other countries – under the Act, a person could be dead less than 4 days after diagnosis.
  • Unlike laws overseas, there is no requirement for independent observers or witnesses at any stage.
  • The Act does not require a person to be assessed for competency at the time when the lethal dose is being administered, as is the case with laws overseas.

Right to Life has no doubt that David Seymour actually believes that his bill provides for a compassionate end for those who are suffering at the end of their lives. However what someone believes and what actually constitutes not only truth but common sense are often two completely different things, Right to Life and the vast majority of those working within our health sector, especially with those in the last stages of their lives, see the End of Life Choice Act as an extremely dangerous and ill-considered piece of legislation.

It would be helpful for all to see David Seymour engage in a meaningful debate with the Catholic Bishops by responding to the serious concerns that they, other Church leaders and the medical profession have about the threat to the lives of the vulnerable in our community posed by the contentious End of Life Choice Act.

Ken Orr,

Spokesperson,

Right to Life.

Authorised by Paul Ives, 22C McBrattneys Rd, Dallington, Christchurch 8061

The NZ Church is Coming Together Against the Abortion Legislation Bill

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It is very encouraging to see the New Zealand churches responding and finally standing up in opposition to the Abortion Legislation bill. Letters have been sent to Jacinda Ardern from New Zealand’s Church leaders expressing major concern over this bill.

Church leaders in Auckland have sent Jacinda Ardern a letter condemning the bill (See below), Christchurch leaders have now joined in opposition to it. We believe other churches are following with more statements. This is truly unprecedented in New Zealand and signals the awakening of a sleeping giant.

A letter to the Prime Minister & Members of Parliament from the Christian Churches of Canterbury

Dear Prime Minister & Members of Parliament,

The Christian Churches of Canterbury which are listed below, who represent 21,356 people within our great nation, wish to strongly state their opposition to the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill which is currently being considered.
Both science and reason point to the fact that those within the womb are no less human than those outside of the womb, only differing in terms of their size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency.
As the current elected government, you have been entrusted with the weighty responsibility of protecting the human rights of every living New Zealander, especially those who are the most defenceless and vulnerable.
In the attempt to uphold the rights of some New Zealanders, this Abortion Legislation Bill fatally terminates the rights of others, which is why we urge you to reconsider your support of this Bill, and vote NO at the 3rd and final reading.
In this final hour, we pray that you will have the courage to make the right decision, standing up for the rights of those kiwis who are without a voice.

On behalf of the following Christian Churches in Canterbury:

  • Ps Jason Winslade, Redemption Church
  • Ps Joe Fleener, Rolleston Baptist Church
  • Ps Nick Clevely, Covenant Grace Baptist Church
  • Ps Rob Harrod, Grace Baptist Church
  • Ps Mark Pavelka & Ps Wendy Gerrling, Gleniti Baptist Church
  • Rev Dave Clancey, Trinity South Christchurch
  • Rev James de Costobadie, Latimer Church
  • Rev Andrew Allan-Johns, Anchor Charismatic Anglican
  • Ps Tony Blackie, Beckenham Baptist Church
  • Ps Andrew de Vries, Reformed Church of Bishopdale
  • Ps Andre Powell, Cornerstone Church Rolleston
  • Ps Jon Hales, Riverside Community Church
  • Rev Toby Behan, Anglican Life Rangiora
  • Ps Max Palmer, Life Church International
  • Ps David Waldron, Reformed Church of Christchurch
  • Ps Elijah Wong, Christchurch Chinese Abundant Life Church
  • Rev Dr Stephen McNabb, Christ Church Roimata
  • Ps Warren Gouman, C3 Church Christchurch
  • Rev Andy Carley, All Saints Anglican Church
  • Ps Pat Lamborn, Connect Church Christchurch
  • Ps Murray Woodfield, Calvary Chapel Christchurch
  • Ps Ben & Amy Kendrew, Arise Church Christchurch
  • Ps Albert Couperus, Reformed Church of Rangiora
  • Rev Dr Clint Ussher, The Well Church
  • Ps Gideon Hoekend, Harmony Church
  • Ps Lincoln Rout, Rutland Street Church
  • Ps David MacGregor, Grace Vineyard Church
  • Ps Bruce Fraser, Rechurch
  • Ps Kathleen Macdonald, Restoration Ministries
  • Ps Hamish Gallowy, Hope Presbyterian Network
  • Ps Kerry Brewerton, Rangiora Baptist Church
  • Ps Jared van Berkel, Thrive Church
  • Ps Gavin Topp, Oikos Ministries International
  • Rev Jay Behan, St Stephen’s (Church of Confessing Anglicans)
  • Ps Ken Shelley, King’s Church
  • Ps Nigel Ripley, Burwood Christian Centre
  • Rev Peter Hurricks, Anglican Parish of Halswell & Prebbleton
  • Ps Bill Avenell, Ashburton Baptist Church
  • Ps William Lopez, Jesus Is Lord Church
  • Rev Dr Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch
  • Rev John Fox, Christian Disability Trust
  • Ps Daniel Wu, Canterbury Chinese Christian Church
  • Ps Bernhard Wewege, Every Nation Church
  • Ps Andy van Ameyde, Reformed Church of Dovedale
  • Rev Joshua Taylor, St John’s Anglican Church

On behalf of the Christchurch Church leaders

Pastor Jason Winslade.

Redemption Church

A letter to the Prime Minister & Members of Parliament from the Auckland leaders

“Dear Prime Minister,

The Christian Churches listed below wish to strongly state our opposition to the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill, in that these radical and extreme proposals completely ignore any and all human rights of the unborn child.

We urge you as our Prime Minister, and other members of Parliament, to reconsider your stand regarding this piece of legislation and vote NO at the upcoming 3rd and final reading.

  • Ps Tak Bhana, Senior Pastor, Church Unlimited
  •  Ps Paul de Jong, Senior Pastor, LIFE
  • Ps Jonathan Dove, Chair for Auckland Church Leaders, & Senior Pastor, Greenlane Christian Centre
  • Most Rev Patrick Dunn, Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Catholic Diocese of Auckland
  • Ps Steve Green, Elim Churches of NZ
  • Ps Brian Kelly, Calvary Chapel
  • Rev Dr Stuart Lange, National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
  • Rev Andrew Marshall, Alliance churches
  • Ps Sam Monk, National Leader Acts Churches New Zealand & Senior Pastor Equippers Church
  • Ps Lui Ponifasio, CCCNZ Churches Auckland & LifeChurch NZ
  • Ps Dean Rush, C3 Auckland
  • Ps Jim Shaw, New Life Churches
  • Ps Kok Soon Lee, Chinese Churches NZ
  • Rev David Waldron, Rev John Haverland, Pieter van der Wel and John van Dyk (The Synodical Interim Committee) of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
  • Ps Jason Winslade, Redemption Church
  • Rev. Paul Allen-Baines, Chairman Congregational Union of New Zealand (Auckland District)
  •  Ps. Brent Douglas, Encounter Christian Churches
  • The Ven Dr Lyndon Drake, Archdeacon of Tamaki Makaurau, Maori Anglican Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau
  •  Ps. Iliafi Esera, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God in NZ
  • Ps. Sanjai Kandregula, Executive Presbytery, Assemblies of God, and Senior Pastor Our City Church
  • Ps. Boyd Ratnaraja and Ps Steve Green, Elim Churches of NZ

On behalf of Auckland Church Leaders,

Ps Jonathan Dove
Chairperson
Auckland Church Leaders”

The most dangerous place for a New Zealander is in its mother’s womb

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Jacinda Ardern5.jpg

Media Release Friday 4th January 2019

If the government is really concerned about protecting the lives of New Zealanders, why is it funding as a core health service, the killing of our unborn in our public hospitals by doctors paid by the state?

Our nation grieves at the nearly 400 New Zealanders who were killed on New Zealand roads in 2018. Every death is a tragedy for the family and for the community. While we grieve at these appalling statistics, we should remember that the most dangerous place for a New Zealander today is not on the road but in a mother’s womb.

In 2017 there were 13,285 unborn children killed in their mother’s womb in abortions. All of these were preventable deaths. An estimated one in five New Zealanders are violently killed before birth in an abortion. For every death on the road there are more than 33 children killed before birth. This is a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. Why is our nation not grieving the deaths of these defenceless and innocent children and why are the Churches and the media silent?

The government is commendably concerned at our terrible road toll and is committed to investing $1.4 billion over three years to make urgent safety improvements across our high risk roads to bring the road toll down. This is the same government that refuses to invest any money into promoting adoption as a loving option. There are thousands of loving New Zealand families who are longing to adopt a child; tragically there are few children available for adoption as they end up as medical waste at the local landfill. This is an appalling human tragedy that should reduce us to tears.

It is inconceivable that the Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and her Labour led government are on one hand is endeavouring to protect the lives of New Zealanders on our roads while at the same time believing that it is not a crime to kill an unborn New Zealander. It is now planning to facilitate the killing of New Zealanders before birth by taking abortion out of the Crimes Act and making it “a reproductive choice for women”.

Right to Life requests that the government repudiates its contentious and unjust proposals. They have no mandate to decriminalise abortion and shoulf dedicate their efforts to protect the lives of all New Zealanders both in the womb and on our roads. We also request that the government introduce a campaign to promote open adoption which would protect the life of the baby and provide the birth mother with the opportunity to participate in the life of her precious infant.

 

Ken Orr

Spokesperson

Right to Life

Pro Abortion Bias in the New Zealand Media Strikes Again

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Image result for 40 Days for life vigil auckland 2017The website “The Spinoff” this week features an article by Alex Braae entitled  “Stare-off on Dominion Rd: anti-abortion vs pro-choice at Auckland’s 40 Days for Life vigil”

The piece begins with the statement “Is the daily anti-abortion vigil for Lent a peaceful, prayer-focused protest, or is it more intimidating than that?”

Braae is a Newstalk ZB producer and a student journalist. His latest article descends quickly into levels of bias and pro-abortion ideology that would normally only be seen in rants on the Abortion Law Reform Association website.

Braae attempts to portray the peaceful 40 Days for Life Vigils which have resulted in the saving of thousands of lives world wide, in negative terms and as being intimidatory. Being a student of journalism and a radio producer one would perhaps expect Mr Braae to know that the right to freedom of assembly, freedom to protest and free speech are integral and necessary parts of a democratic society.

From a balanced journalism perspective it is all pretty much downhill from the start although Braae does gives lip service here and there, to quoting 40 Days for Life and Family Life International director Michael Lorentz.  eg, “Abortion cannot be treated as a health issue… because it adversely destroys the health of the unborn child.”

Statements made by Braae such as ‘The disconnect between them and a society that has largely accepted abortion is deep.” and “The vigils of groups like Family Life International are among the last bastions of confrontational Christianity in New Zealand,”  show how out of touch Braae actually is in relation to the  depth of opposition to abortion there is throughout the country.

No Mr Braae large sections of New Zealand society still reject the claim that abortion is a settled issue.  What actually is being confronted here is not just something that is opposed by those who are Christians.  Who would argue the fact that the killing of innocent human beings is always wrong?  Unborn children are innocent human beings. Therefore abortion is wrong. [Read more…]

NZ’s Silent Holocaust- A loss to the Economy of $20 Billion

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The loss of 500,000 Unborn New Zealand Children between 1978 and 2016. The Result: A Loss to the Economy of $19,750,000,000

https://i0.wp.com/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/a3/e9/5f/a3e95f14494b6ab8f89ef9d029076385.jpg?ssl=1It is fitting that as we commence a new year that we should pause and reflect again with grief and remorse on the 500,000 innocent and defenceless children who have been killed in their mother’s wombs, since the passing of the Contraception Sterilisation and Abortion Act in 1977. The killing of these children is a violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. Their names are unknown and no grave stone marks their resting place. They were deemed to be unwanted and by some a threat to our community. Their discarded and broken human remains have been treated as “medical waste” to be incinerated. Their final resting place the local landfill. Shame on us! – for we are all guilty as our silence convicts us.

Each child is a unique and unrepeatable miracle of God’s loving creation, each endowed at conception with human rights, the foundation right being an inalienable right to life. As a nation, we should weep for our children who came seeking only to love and to be loved. They came endowed with talents to enrich our nation. It is fitting that we should grieve for our beloved dead, brothers and sisters who were murdered in their mother’s wombs. It is important that we remember those who were not allowed to be born. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Their demise should fill us with grief. We should recognise them as members of our human family and God’s precious infants, children who were lovingly knitted together by their Creator in their mother’s womb.

Right to Life asks, Why is there a deafening silence from the churches? [Read more…]

This is the website of Right to Life NZ Inc.
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