ALBURY’S two highest profile clergymen have rejected a Catholic bishop’s suggestion that safe zones be created around churches like those being considered for NSW abortion clinics.
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Bishop Peter Comensoli flagged the idea with politicians in the wake of the state’s Upper House MPs last week passing a bill to stop protests within 150 metres of reproductive rooms.
“If they're determined to have a safety zone, why not a safety zone around any activities that could be personally intimidating for those involved,” the Bishop of Broken Bay told the ABC, citing protests at Sydney churches.
Fellow Catholic, Lavington priest Father Brendan Lee does not support exclusion zones for abortion clinics, such as the one in Albury’s Englehardt Street, and does not think churches should get “special treatment”.
“An exclusion zone (for churches) I think that would be a mistake and a bit hypocritical,” Fr Lee said.
“If we’re not happy about exclusion zones with abortion clinics we shouldn’t have them ourselves.
“We should liable to the same criticism as the rest of the community.”
Albury Anglican archdeacon Father Peter MacLeod-Miller supports exclusion zones at abortion clinics but sees no merit in having them around churches.
“We’re in the same position as (politician) Sussan Ley,” he said.
“People protest outside her office and we’re exactly the same; churches should expect to have a response when they say things.
“One of the greatest dangers for churches is being totally isolated and out of touch, that’s a much greater danger than someone protesting.”
Both churchmen have endured abuse in Albury.
Fr MacLeod-Miller was spat in the face by someone upset about the Royal Commission into institutional child abuse, while a Greens supporter pushed Fr Lee in his chest and verbally abused about him about the environment.
But Fr MacLeod-Miller said paramedics and emergency doctors should be getting more protection because clergy attacks were “minuscule” by comparison.
Member for Albury Greg Aplin, who is considering his response to the exclusion zone bill, said he not support special areas at churches.
But he added it was not a shock that such an argument had emerged from the bill that’s due to be debated in the Lower House next week.
