Not be one voice here crying opposite, but there’s something to be said for English understatement.
For example,”As a Christian I could never advise anyone to have a termination.” is certainly a statement against abortion—even if understated. And of course we don’t know which words were emphasized, so you can’t say how strong it was. Was it said like, “As a Christian I could NEVER advise anyone to have a termination.” ?
On the homosexual issue, yes, he doesn’t condemn—but he sure as heck didn’t bless it either. Just to raise questions to your typical homosexual activist is to be accused of being “bigoted.”
Particularly for a minister, in normal conversation, understatement is often an icebreaker, for more complete communication—and influence. Any minister who said to an unwed pregnant girl he just met “Why even to consider an abortion is murder!” (though true) should get out of the ministry quick as he has no tactfulness. And of course we all know the Brits are known for understatement too. I think it’s wrong to be too condemnatory of the ABC here.
He said, "Not everyone in the country is a Christian, so the law has to compromise to reflect different aspects of the discussion, for example if a rape was involved."
"However, I do think the time limit for abortions is too high, especially as medical science is allowing us to keep foetuses alive that are under even 23 weeks old. This is something that needs to be discussed further."