By Sandra Murphy

A STRONG female voice has emerged in the Catholic Church in Australia calling for the root causes of unintended pregnancy to be addressed in the renewed abortion debate.

For the first time, the Catholic Life Offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have issued a joint statement following public comments by the Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, about the "abortion epidemic".

Dr Brigid Vout, executive officer at the archdiocese of Sydney Life Office, said the collaboration with her colleagues, Marcia Riordan and Clare Pike, reflected on an issue that impacts on everyone.

" As three young women, we are very sensitive to the renewed debate and want women to have more options,” she said.

" Although men have as much to contribute to the debate as women, most people acknowledge that women carry the burden of any abortion decision."

The joint statement said the Catholic Church was increasingly aware that abortion at any stage and for any reason can be a devastating and life-changing decision for women.

" Recent claims that speaking out about the trauma caused to women is a 'strategy' are yet another attempt to silence hurting women,” it said.

" The Church seeks an option that affirms and respects both mothers and the unborn.

" It recognises that we cannot adequately care for either without caring for both."

The Catholic Life Offices also condemned Church leaders, agencies and individuals for their previous "complacent" and "silent" stance on the termination issue but acknowledged that the time had come for change.

" We need to use our love and creative energies to address the many factors that influence a woman's decision to have an abortion and we need to provide her with real alternatives," it concluded.

Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne has also welcomed the renewed debate on abortion, describing Australia's 100,000 abortions a year as a "huge suffering".

He said the debate needed to focus on the rights of the child in the womb. "Our youngest and oldest human beings have an equal right to life and dignity that we now give to children and adults," he said.

" Discussion has rightly focused on compassion for women, while ignoring compassion for the child in the womb, who is the silent partner in this debate.

" We, as a society, need to reflect more clearly on the beginning, the end, and the value of each human life."

Prime Minister John Howard has encouraged debate on the issue, but has declined to agree to any deals involving abortion law changes.

He has said there will be no Government-sponsored legislation to change the laws, but there could be a private member's Bill.

Opposition Leader Mark Latham says there is no reason to change the current laws.