Originally posted March 24, 2025
Ukrainian Catholic Church (Australia, New Zealand & Oceania)
On Sunday, March 23, the Divine Liturgy for the Day of the Unborn Child was celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. It was led by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP, concelebrated by Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, Bishop Danny Meagher, and numerous clergy. Following the Liturgy, a procession took place through the streets of Sydney to the Parliament House of New South Wales, where Bishop Mykola delivered a speech, the full text of which is provided below.
Speech by Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok for the Day of the Unborn Child
outside NSW State Parliament in Sydney
23 March 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We gather here today, not in anger, but in love; not in despair, but in hope. We are here because we believe in the sanctity of life, in the dignity of every human being from the moment of conception to natural death. And we are here to be a voice for the voiceless — the unborn children who are denied the first of all human rights: the right to life.
In Australia, we face an undeniable crisis. Our abortion laws are among the most extreme in the world. Despite each State and Territory having jurisdiction over these laws, we see a pattern — a coordinated effort to entrench abortion on demand from conception to birth. Laws that once protected the most vulnerable have been replaced with laws that disregard the humanity of the unborn child.
We have been told that there are restrictions on late-term abortion, but the reality is different. There are virtually no impediments. The truth is that a child can be legally aborted in Australia for any reason — right up until birth. This is not only a moral failure but a tragedy for our nation.
Even more disturbing is the suppression of those who wish to offer support to women in crisis. Every State and Territory has implemented “safe access zones” around abortion clinics — up to 150 metres — banning prayer, counselling, and even offering help to those who seek alternatives. In 2019, our own High Court upheld these restrictions, while just a year prior, it struck down similar restrictions on environmental activists protesting against logging. This inconsistency speaks volumes about where our nation’s priorities lie.
Adding to our concerns is the push for a national policy — Universal Access to Reproductive Healthcare. A Senate Inquiry has already been launched, a report has been tabled, and we wait, knowing that this coordinated effort may soon remove even more protections for life.
Here in New South Wales, the fight has intensified. Just last month, a member of the Greens Party introduced a Bill to force hospitals to provide abortion services up to birth, regardless of conscientious objection. If passed, this could mean that doctors and nurses with moral convictions may be forced to choose between their profession and their faith, between their livelihood and their conscience.
And yet, despite all of this, we see silence and obfuscation. Official abortion statistics in Australia are difficult to obtain. Most states do not report them, leaving us with estimates — figures that range from 80,000 to 120,000 abortions per year. In NSW alone, it is estimated that around 30,000 children lose their lives annually. And these numbers do not include chemical abortions, which are on the rise, nor the uncounted victims of abortifacient contraceptives.
Since the 1970s, when abortion laws began to liberalise, these figures have remained largely unchanged. This means that over 5.5 million unborn Australians have been lost to abortion. If they had been given the chance to live, they would now be parents and grandparents. Our nation is missing over 10 million people — 10 million souls who would have contributed to our economy, our society, and our families. A nation that fails to value life ultimately undermines its own future.
It is a tragic irony that while our fertility rate has been below replacement level for decades, we continue to extinguish life in the womb. Instead of nurturing our own people, we rely on immigration to sustain our population. This is not sustainable. Those who advocate for abortion under the guise of women’s health are not truly concerned with the wellbeing of women. The early abortion advocates came from the eugenics movement — a movement that sought to control which lives were deemed worthy. The consequences of this ideology are before us today, and they are catastrophic.
As we reflect on the sanctity of life, it is fitting that we also recognize the Feast of the Annunciation, which we celebrate at this time of year. This feast is a great celebration of life, as it marks the moment when the Angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. At that very moment, Christ took on flesh in the womb of His Mother, affirming the sacredness of every human life from conception. The Annunciation is a reminder that life is a gift from God, to be cherished and protected. Just as Mary embraced the life within her with faith and courage, we too are called to embrace and defend life in all its stages.
As we stand for the unborn, let us also turn our hearts to another great injustice — the ongoing suffering in Ukraine, the Middle East, and all places afflicted by war. Our brothers and sisters in Ukraine continue to endure the horrors of war, their lives shattered by violence and displacement. Families are torn apart, cities lie in ruins, and innocent lives are lost each day. Likewise, in the Middle East, many suffer from ongoing conflicts, persecution, and instability. Let us not forget those in Africa, Asia, and other regions where war and oppression devastate communities. We must pray fervently for a just peace in Ukraine, for reconciliation in the Middle East, and for an end to violence wherever it exists. May the Lord, who is the Prince of Peace, guide the leaders of nations to seek justice and unity, may He bring comfort to those who have lost loved ones, and may our prayers strengthen all who long for a world where peace reigns.
But, my dear friends, amidst these harsh realities, we must not lose hope. Hope is what brings us here today. Hope is what has led millions across the world to stand up for life. Hope is what will inspire the next generation to defend the unborn with even greater courage.
As we journey through this time, let us remember that we are pilgrims of hope, especially as we celebrate the Jubilee Year 2025. The Jubilee is a time of renewal, a time to restore what has been lost and to rebuild a culture of life. It is a time to proclaim boldly that every life is precious, and that God’s mercy is greater than any darkness we face. As pilgrims of hope, we trust that the Lord is leading us forward and that through faith, prayer, and action, we can transform our society into one that cherishes every human life.
The culture of death may seem entrenched, but we are called to be the light that breaks through this darkness. Each child saved, each mother supported, each person whose heart is changed is a victory. We must continue to be the hands and feet of Christ, offering compassion, support, and love to those facing unplanned pregnancies.
Our mission is not only to change laws but to change hearts. A nation that embraces life will flourish. A people who protect their most vulnerable will be blessed. And a society that chooses love over fear will find its future secure.
So let us go forth today with renewed strength. Let us be unwavering in our commitment to the unborn. Let us speak truth boldly and lovingly. And let us hold fast to hope, for with God, all things are possible.
May God bless Australia, may He grant peace to Ukraine and all war-torn regions, and may He bless our efforts to build a culture of life. Amen.
