Catholic schools fear they may be sued if they help a student secure an abortion without parental permission

When New Zealand's top Catholic bishop charged that liberal government policies are turning the country into a "moral wasteland" he unfortunately was not engaging in hyperbole. Judging by this article he is dead on.

The Care of Children Bill before Parliament re-affirms a 27-year-old law allowing girls under the age of 16 to have an abortion without their parents' consent or knowledge.

Catholic schools say the law may force them into a legally dangerous situation if they help a girl obtain an abortion without having access to her family's medical history.

"This legislation gives carte blanche approval to send a youngster down the road to get an abortion," New Zealand Catholic Education Office executive director Pat Lynch said.

"How does a guidance counsellor know whether a young woman might have complications from anaesthetic or clotting problems?" Brother Lynch said.

"It seems to me we are talking about a life or death situation, let alone the morality of it. Schools could open themselves up to litigation. Surely parents who brought a youngster into the world have a right to know (if their child is pregnant). It would be very unwise for schools to get involved in this."

Girls have been able to seek an abortion without parental consent since 1977 following a Royal Commission into contraception, sterilisation and abortion.

Brother Lynch said the new bill was an opportunity to have this clause overturned.

Christchurch's St Mary's in the City school principal David O'Neill said schools were being put in a "horrible situation" but were legally obligated to help a pregnant student obtain an abortion.

"It puts a huge amount of pressure on principals to make a decision like that," he said.

"Schools have to look at this and ask themselves what they will do in this situation."

I would like to see the direct quote of what the Catholic schools there are saying. I really hope that the view portrayed in this article is mistaken. That the only concern about a school helping a young girl get an abortion is the concern about family medical history and getting sued. For this Catholic school principal to say that they were in a "horrible situation" but were legally obligated to help is really scary. By the moral law we are obligated to fight against and to resist unjust laws and not to say "oh well, it's the law."

And another story from New Zealand School says sorry over students' pre-ball condoms

Teenagers at an Auckland high school were offered complimentary condoms when they bought tickets to their school ball.

The students, from Edgewater College in Pakuranga, were handed an envelope containing a condom, sexual health advice and pointers on sensible behaviour surrounding alcohol and transport home from the ball.

The ball was held last Friday night at Sky City and was a huge success, according to the school.

But some parents were left seething over the pre-ball freebie.

"What kind of a message is this sending out?" said one parent, who declined to be named.