A bill to relax NSW abortion laws has divided Griffith religious leaders, with some opposing and others supporting decriminalisation.
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Under the proposed laws women will be able to get abortions up to 22 weeks of gestation, or later than that if two doctors agree birth could harm "future physical, psychological and social circumstances" or endanger the woman or another fetus.
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish priest Andrew Grace said he opposed the bill currently before NSW parliament.
"This bill is terrible: for the unborn, for women, for the medical community and for our society," Father Grace said. "Conscientious objection would be trashed, with pro-life doctors forced to refer a woman seeking an abortion to another practitioner or provider."
Riverina Anglican bishop Donald Kirk said he doesn't necessarily support abortion, but he believes it shouldn't be a criminal offense either.
"I would not want people to have unnecessary abortions at all, but sometimes the need is there and as an act of compassion I think it's important to allow that to be possible," Bishop Kirk said.
"If it's a criminal act it forces abortion underground, which puts the mothers who need an abortion at risk."
Riaz Mosque imam Dr Mohamed Mofreh said Islam only allowed abortion under certain circumstances.
"For us as Muslims abortion is not allowed, unless there is a medical problem with the mother or the baby," Dr Mofreh said.
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Sikh temple secretary Anup Nagra said he believed abortion should be legal, but not sex-selective abortions - a practice the Punjabi government is trying to prevent.
"I think it should depend on the person," Mr Nagra said.
Presbyterian minister Jesse Huckel said he opposed all abortion, except in instances where a woman's life was in danger.
"This bill is very concerning to Christianity - we believe life begins at conception and that life is precious," Reverend Huckel said.
"Abortion is never a good thing, but if the mother's life was in danger we can see why that would have to happen."
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