Catholics ‘free to oppose abortion’, says Mykola Bychok

Australia’s new cardinal-designate, Mykola Bychok, has backed retired trade unionist Joe de Bruyn’s anti-abortion speech to Australian Catholic University students in Melbourne on Monday.

Cardinal-elect Mykola Bychok. Picture: Mark Stewart

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Australia’s new cardinal-designate, Mykola Bychok, has backed retired trade unionist, Labor figure and Campion College board member Joe de Bruyn’s anti-abortion speech to Australian Catholic University students in Melbourne on Monday.

The speech drew a hostile ­response from ACU university staff and students and prompted a walkout from the audience, during a graduation ceremony at which Mr de Bruyn received an honorary doctorate. The university later offered counselling for those affected by the speech.

But cardinal-designate Bychok, 44, who will become the youngest cardinal in the world at a ceremony in Rome on December 8, supported Mr de Bruyn’s words and his right to speak out.

“Freedom of speech is an important pillar of our society, so is freedom of religion,’’ he said.

“We must be free to say that which we believe to be the truth as passed to us by Our Lord. Jesus says to us ‘Be not afraid’. I grew up at a time when my church was banned and persecuted in Ukraine. A church of martyrs and confessors. We survived this persecution because people loved God and their church. They were courageous and passed on the faith to their children and grandchildren.’’

Cardinal-designate Bychok said he did not believe there was any division within the church on the sanctity of life: “The church with one voice says human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.’’

While Pope Francis told the church to be a “listening church’’ that did not mean others did not have to listen to Christ and the church.

“Catholic institutions must be places of evangelisation where faculty and students are called to embrace the joy of our faith in a loving God,’’ he said.

“Every person is precious and the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.’’

Campion College, Australia’s first liberal arts college, near Parramatta is also sharply at odds with the ACU. A Campion statement backed Mr de Bruyn, who has served on its board for years.

“Mr de Bruyn has always been committed to the teaching of the Catholic Church on faith and morals, including on the evil of abortion,’’ acting president Stephen McInerney said.

“We not only support his right to make these comments, we support the comments themselves and admire his unwavering commitment to Catholic social teaching in all its dimensions.’’

Melbourne parish priest Father Glen Tattersall said the reaction to Mr de Bruyn’s speech demonstrated the failure of a significant Catholic institution.

“For some time, those of us who are in a position to see beyond the facade have mocked the Australian Catholic University as ‘Anti-Christ University’. This incident demonstrates that our worst fears have been fulfilled … Why should they be in a position to use the Catholic Church’s resources to pander to anti-Catholic ideologies and activists? This is all the tip of an ugly and menacing iceberg.’’

Melbourne Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli said in a diverse, pluralistic society like Australia’s, it was important to ­engage respectfully with those whom we disagree.

“It is in this dialogue that trust, harmony and peace are built,’’ Archbishop Comensoli said. “The unborn, the sick and dying, the elderly, those with disability, people experiencing homelessness, in fact all those on the margins or who have no voice, are owed the upholding of their lives and dignity. A Catholic university is such a place where civil engagement on questions of the most vulnerable among us can be, and should be, entered into.”