A number of former St Mary Star of the Sea College students have expressed their anger at the school's public stance on abortion
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The Wollongong-based Catholic school promoted on its Facebook page the Stand for Life rally held at Martin Place, Sydney,this morning.
The Facebook post has since been removed by the school but not before many expressed their "outrage" at the "inappropriate post".
"As a former St Mary's girl, I find this post so upsetting," one former student commented on the post.
"Regardless of religious belief (which the school is entitled to), all students should be able to feel safe and comfortable approaching teachers for guidance and support.
"By sharing this St Mary's is breeding an environment which isolates students from feeling as though they can reach out for help."
Others were also unhappy.
"It's saddening to see a school which is focused on women's education advocating to deny them of the right to choose (what may be) their future," another former student wrote.
"You don't have to necessarily agree with the potential death of an unborn child to agree that everyone has the right to a choice in what happens in their lives. As others have mentioned, there are infinite reasons why an abortion may be necessary or the most appropriate measure."
By sharing this St Mary's is breeding an environment which isolates students from feeling as though they can reach out for help.
- a former student
Another former St Mary's student said she was "absolutely heartbroken to see this post"
But there were those who commented in support of the school's Facebook post.
"Thank you! So good to see a Catholic school support and uphold Catholic teaching on the Sanctity of Life #loveboth #womendeservebetter," she wrote.
"This is exactly what a Catholic school ought to support. God bless you all!," added another.
The college did not respond to numerous calls made by the Mercury asking for comment.
Pro-Choice NSW co-founder Melanie Fernandez said it was pleasing to see well over 1000 people gathered at Parliament House today to call for the historic bill to decriminalise abortion to be passed.
"Abortion is a health care issue and should be treated and regulated as such and NSW should finally come into line with every other state and territory in Australia and change this well outdated law," Ms Fernandez said.
'What we saw today was a really diverse crowd gathered outside of parliament reflective of the views of the community across NSW.
We really condemn this delay. Women have been waiting in NSW for far too long. It's been 119 years that abortion has been in the crimes act.
- Pro-Choice NSW co-founder Melanie Fernandez
"We know that there is vast majority support behind this bill and support behind a woman's right to choose."
Debate of the bill and proposed amendments will now not be heard until September.
Ms Fernandez said this was deeply disappointing and distressing.
"We really condemn this delay. Women have been waiting in NSW for far too long. It's been 119 years that abortion has been in the crimes act," she said.
"To delay this even one day is completely unacceptable but to delay it for a matter of weeks now when we know that there has been broad campaigning for this change for decades, and we know that there is broad support across the community for this legislation, is not on."