Former Union Leader’s Condemnation of Abortion Leads to Mass Walkout at ACU Graduation

A graduation ceremony at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Melbourne witnessed a surprising incident last night as hundreds of students, parents, and staff protested and left in response to a speech by former union leader Joe De Bruyn.

De Bruyn, the former national secretary of the conservative Shop, Distributive, and Allied Employees Association (SDA), received an honorary degree for his contributions to workers’ rights and social welfare.

However, during his speech, De Bruyn delved into topics such as his opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, causing a mass exodus from the venue.

“I have been actively involved in opposing abortion for several decades, condemning the deliberate killing of unborn human beings,” he declared to the audience, as reported by media outlets.

“Currently, over 80,000 unborn children are lost to abortion in Australia annually, with a global estimated figure of 42 million per year.

“Abortion stands as the leading cause of human deaths worldwide, surpassing the casualties of World War II. It is a tragedy that must be stopped.”

The Unforeseen Turn of Events

Charlie Panteli, a graduate receiving a Bachelor of Primary Education, was among the first to walk out in protest, sharing his perspective on the incident with ABC Radio.

Panteli recounted how De Bruyn abruptly shifted from discussing his professional accomplishments to his personal opinions on social issues.

“He suddenly began condemning abortion. It was startling,” Panteli remarked to ABC Melbourne.

Seated near the front, Panteli got up upon hearing De Bruyn’s statements on abortion.

“Only catching the part about abortion, I was among the first to stand up. I gestured for others to leave and stated, ‘This is unacceptable,’ before exiting.”

Several faculty members, positioned towards the back, appeared visibly taken aback by the content of the speech.

ACU’s Emphasis on Open Debate

After the ceremony, the Australian Catholic University issued a statement.

The university expressed regret that the occasion had been a negative experience for numerous graduates and their families.

“Mr. De Bruyn’s remarks were made in a personal capacity during the ceremony,” the statement outlined.

“While his viewpoints may not align with many of our staff and students, as a university, we advocate for the respectful exchange of ideas representing our diverse community.”

The spokesperson acknowledged the disagreement among staff, graduates, and families regarding De Bruyn’s speech.

“As a university, we are dedicated to fostering open, respectful dialogue. We encourage individuals to express their views and beliefs while upholding respect for those with opposing perspectives.

“ACU is committed to nurturing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all students and staff, regardless of their beliefs. Education, faith, respect, and acceptance form the core of our mission as a Catholic institution.”

However, Panteli found the university’s response lacking.

“We have received no support. I urge the university to publicly disavow these opinions. They present themselves as an inclusive institution, yet honoring this individual with a doctorate is outrageous.”

In response, De Bruyn defended his views as fitting within the context of a Catholic institution.

“My views are not unusual; they may not be held by the majority, but they align with the Catholic Church’s stance,” he explained to The Age. “I believed it was entirely appropriate to express them in this setting.”

SDA’s Stand Against Communism, Socialism

The SDA maintains its staunchly conservative and Catholic origins, despite the growing influence of progressive unions within the Labor Party.

The SDA played a pivotal role in the Labor Party split of 1955 in response to communist infiltration within its ranks.

The historic feminist movements, which paved the way for abortion rights, often intersected with communist movements as both sought to challenge traditional views on marriage and family, undermining Christian-based societies.

“In truth, Friedan, using her maiden name Betty Goldstein, had been an activist for radical socialism from college years until the 1950s. While at the University of California–Berkeley, Friedan was an active member of the Young Communist League and twice sought to join the Communist Party USA.”