Amnesty International: For Shame!

As an ignomius charter member to my new "For Shame!" list I nominate Amnesty International, for abandoning neutrality and supporting legalized abortion, despite Vatican appeal, and without consulting its own members.

CWNews:

Brushing aside criticism from the Holy See, Amnesty International has affirmed its new policy of support for legal abortion.

Responding to public criticism by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, Amnesty International issued a statement saying that the group "notes the right of the Vatican to hold its views on abortion," but indicated that it would not change its policy. "The matter of whether individuals, of any faith, agree with or oppose Amnesty International's policy on sexual and reproductive rights, which includes selected aspects on abortion, is for the individual to decide and should be respected," the group said.

...

Amnesty International abandoned its previous policy of neutrality on the issue of rape after a long internal discussion. The shift drew an immediate protest from Cardinal Renato Martino, the president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, who suggested that Catholics might reconsider their support for the organization.

More recently Bishop Michael Evans of East Anglia, England, announced that he was dropping a 31-year association with Amnesty International. Bishop Evans-- who composed a prayer used by Amnesty International in a recent postcard campaign-- said that he could not accept the support for abortion. "There is no human right to acces to abortion," he said, "and Amnesty should not involve itself even in such extreme cases.”

[See also: CWNews' previous coverage on Aug 13, CNA coverage on Aug 21, and ]

Other coverage:

• Cafeteria is Closed (Aug. 27th) and again here.
• UK TimesOnline (Aug. 26th)
• CathNews (Aug. 27th)
• Catholic Online (Aug. 27th)
• LifeSiteNews coverage (Aug 27) and again here.
• CNA on Aug 20 here, Aug 21 here, again here and here and here, Aug 27.
• USCCB via the PR Newswire (Aug. 24th)

Details of note:

• Rock for Life, "a collaboration of musicians linked to the antiabortion [pro-life] movement, has accused Amnesty of using the album to promote abortion without making its intentions clear to the singers." [source] [source 2] [source 3]
• Bishop Skylstad, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, to AI: “We call upon Amnesty International once again to act in accord with its noblest principles, reconsider its error, and reverse its policy on abortion,” he said, noting that the bishops had held almost a year of dialogue with leaders of the rights organization. [source] [source 2] [source 3]
• Deirdre A. McQuade, director of planning and information for the USCCB Pro-Life Activities Secretariat: "Amnesty International Sells Out,” that the rights group’s action “offers false hope to women” proposing “violence to solve violence and discriminate against a whole class of voiceless human beings: the unborn.” She called on members of the rights organization to “prayerfully consider” divorcing themselves from it and joining with an alternative group. Wrestle with how God is “calling you to be authentically pro-justice and pro-life,” she urged. [source]
• CNA: "Amnesty International affirmed its policy decision on Friday to become a pro-abortion organization and focus some of its efforts on creating universal access to abortion under select circumstances. The radical change has caused Bishop Michael Evans of the Diocese of East Anglia, England to withdraw his 31-year membership from the organization."
• CNA: “We cannot ever destroy life, we must always save life even if it is the fruit of violence,” exclaimed Cardinal Bertone in an exclusive interview with Vatican Radio about Amnesty International’s new abortion policy."
• CNA: "The headmaster of Sydney's St Aloysius College, Fr. Chris Middleton has confirmed that his school will cut its ties with Amnesty International because of its policy that promotes abortion in some cases."
• CNA: "A Canadian pro-life group has called for more action from the country’s bishops against Amnesty International’s decision to advocate for the worldwide decriminalization of abortion."

Clearly this topic has received a great deal of attention. I'm adding my voice to the plethora of Catholic figures and organizations earnestly petitioning Amnesty International to re-examine its decision for the good of all the persons it seeks to serve.