No aid to Amnesty, says Vatican
17 July 2007
The Vatican has asked Catholics worldwide not to support Amnesty International because of its revised position on abortion.
In an interview with the National Catholic Register, Cardinal Renato Martino said: “By pushing for the decriminalization of abortion as part of their platform, Amnesty International has disqualified itself as a defender of human rights.”
“I believe that, if in fact Amnesty International persists in this course of action, individuals and Catholic organizations must withdraw their support; because, in deciding to promote abortion rights, AI has betrayed its mission.”
Amnesty says that they are not taking judging whether abortion is right or wrong.
Deputy Secretary Kate Gilmore said: "Amnesty International's position is not for abortion as a right but for women's human rights to be free of fear, threat and coercion as they manage all consequences of rape and other grave human rights violations.”
She also said that Amnesty does not receive funding from the Vatican or from other states, but continues to welcome donations from people of any faith who support their work against human rights violations.