We therefore speak out once more in defence of the unborn child's right to life. This is the greatest human rights issue confronting our society at the start of the 1980's. There is no human being so defenceless as an unborn child. Yet these is none at greater risk in Australia today. Statistically, the most dangerous place for an Australian in 1980 is a mother's womb.
Every human being has an inviolable right to life.
But words are not enough. This human right, under threat as it is, needs to be fully recognised and protected by the law. We therefore applaud those groups who are using their rights as citizens of a democracy to organise political support for this great cause. We congratulate those parliamentarians who are determined to have enshrined in our laws full recognition and protection of this most fundamental human right. The attitude of the Church, for all her passionate concern for the unborn, is at the same time one of understanding and compassion for the pregnant woman.