THE Catholic Bishop of East Anglia has resigned from Amnesty International after 31 years over its new stance on abortion. Amnesty International has recently defended women's right to access an abortion if pregnancy puts their health or human rights in danger in cases such as rape, sexual assault and incest.

THE Catholic Bishop of East Anglia has resigned from Amnesty International after 31 years over its new stance on abortion.

Amnesty International has recently defended women's right to access an abortion if pregnancy puts their health or human rights in danger in cases such as rape, sexual assault and incest.

The attitude has led the Rt Rev Michael Evans, Bishop of East Anglia, to end his association with the human rights organisation, saying: “There is no human right to access abortion”.

In a statement on East Anglia's Catholic website, Bishop Michael said: “The Catholic Church shares Amnesty's strong commitment to oppose violence against women (for example, rape, sexual assault and incest), but such appalling violence must not be answered by violence against the most vulnerable and defenceless form of human life in a woman's womb.

“Catholics would want to show practical compassion for such women, and ensure for them all the medical and spiritual care and support they need.”

The bishop, who is head of the Roman Catholic Church in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, said Amnesty's new stance would divide its membership, and make it difficult for Catholics to remain members to provide any financial support for the organisation.

Nobody from Amnesty International was available for comment.