Statement from His Excellency, James Wingle, Bishop of St. Catharines concerning the Appointment of Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada

July 3, 2008

On Canada Day, the Governor General announced that Henry Morgentaler has been awarded membership in the Order of Canada. The Order of Canada is officially described as “the centrepiece of Canada's honours system” and is intended to recognize “a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.” Up to a few days ago, this award was a coveted badge of honour; it is no longer.

What outstanding achievement or service has Henry Morgentaler contributed to the betterment of Canada? By his own estimation he has performed more than 100,000 abortions. He has flagrantly and repeatedly violated the rule of law in Canada in the name of his crusade to remove all legal protection for the life of unborn children. In 1988, a decision of the Supreme Court struck down all existing legal barriers to abortion. To the public disgrace of our nation, Canada is now one of the very few, if not the only country in the free world that offers no protection to the life of the unborn child at any stage of its development. Millions of innocent lives have been snuffed out by abortion.

The firm conviction of millions of Canadians that human life is sacred at every stage of its existence evidently means nothing to those responsible for the Order of Canada. What can be done in the face of such contempt for the value of human life?

Now is the time to redouble our active commitment to defend the most vulnerable in our midst, the unborn child. Services and agencies such as Birthright that provide genuine help to those tempted to resort to abortion need our support. Initiatives to help those who have been through the grief and anguish of abortion, like Project Rachael, must be fostered. Ready access to God's forgiving and healing love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation must be more prominent.

Let us not content ourselves with idle complaint in the face of this woeful disregard for the dignity of human life and the conviction of Canadian citizens who uphold that dignity. Write, phone, or e-mail the Governor General, the Prime Minister, and your Member of Parliament and call for this award to be revoked.

This Sunday will be a day of special prayer in the Diocese of St. Catharines, for an end to the evil of abortion. The following prayer is to be used in the Prayer of the Faithful in all the churches of the diocese:

“That the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land, that those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart, that all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped to protect the precious gift of life, and that all who have experienced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love.”

Here are addresses for the Members of Parliament representing various parts of the Diocese of St. Catharines and for the Prime Minister. Letters to these addresses need no postage stamp.

(If you live in the riding of St. Catharines)

Mr. Rick Dykstra

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(If you live in the riding of Niagara Falls)

Hon. Rob Nicholson

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(If you live in the riding of Niagara-West Glanbrook)

Mr. Dean Allison

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(If you live in the riding of Welland)

Mr. John Maloney

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(If you live in the riding of Haldimand-Norfolk)

Hon. Diane Finley

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(To write the Prime Minister )

Hon. Stephen Harper,

Prime Minister

House of Commons

Ottawa ON K1A 0A2

(To write the Governor General - No stamp needed: “Excellency:”)

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean

Governor General of Canada

Rideau Hall

1 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A1

( To write the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who chaired the Committee that advised the Governor General to make this award– you need a stamp: “Dear Chief Justice”)

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C.

Chief Justice of Canada   

Supreme Court of Canada

301 Wellington St.

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0J1