Reaction to the Naming of Henry Morgentaler
to the Order of Canada
A few Opening Press Releases and Statements
Earlier Selected Editorials
There was a plethora of articles and editorials written in reaction to the Morgentaler
Order of Canada award. Many of these are collated by Maureen Ward in the
following Annunciation of the Lord Web site:
http://dev.annunciation-ottawa.org/index.php?
option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=16&id=103&Itemid=100

Several editorialists have reflected upon the unelected cultural elites that have had
a nefarious effect on the moral fabric of our country. The following are perhaps the
most enlightening pieces:

Often overlooked in the debate on abortion is the devastating effect abortion has
on women (both emotional and physical. This was brought up during the Protest
ally at this Governor General's residence on July 9th (see below). Click HERE for
two outstanding Calgary Herald editorial by Naomi Lakritz and Susan Martinuk.

In a Toronto Sun editorial, Fr. Thomas Rosica, once a chaplain at the University of
Toronto illustrates who is left to pick up the pieces after an abortion, and how not
only the women involved are affected...click on "Gutless leaders strike again".
July 9th Ottawa Rally Demanding Order of Canada
to Abortionist be Revoked
Angelina Steenstra, co-foundress of "CanadaSilentNoMore" gives a passionate
speech during the protest rally in front of the Governor General's residence on
Sussex Blvd. "Revoke the award, absolutely no question - but it is not
enough," Angelina exclaimed. For more info and pictures see:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08070901.html
Get and Stay involved!
It is paramount that pro-lifers and people of good-will be involved in order to keep
the pressure on so that this award is revoked. “Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil!” (Is 5:20). Yet that is exactly what our country has done in
making it official that the murder of innocent children is a Canadian value by
calling Dr. Henry Morgentaler the abortionist a Canadian hero by naming him
a recipient of the Order of Canada (see THIS HOMILY by Fr. Tim McCauley) This
can be done by continuing to write letters and to make phone calls to the Governor
General, members of the Order of Canada Committee, etc.  Write editors of various
newspapers and take part in any future protest rallies. ( Click HERE for contact info)
We are in for the long haul.

  • Have petitions signed at your local Parish. Click HERE to download petition
    form.
Letters from the Heart
Here are two moving letters  written by outstanding individuals.

#1 Gary Knight: "A 'birthday' present for Canada ?"

#2 Don and Emma De Cuypere/Bourrjer: "No politically correct cultural elites
should decide what is best for society as a whole"

#3 Richard MacDonald: Letters to the Governor General, Chief Justice and
Prime Minister
The Importance of Prayer
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As a priest once said “man proposes but God disposes….and nothing is more
important than the Mass”. Both our Archbishop Prendergast and Archbishop
Collins of Toronto have proposed the following prayer to be said during the Mass
intentions:

"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."
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Intercessory prayer to Our Lady:
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, we beg you to protect all mothers of
the unborn and the children within their wombs. May the unborn and their mothers
have life here on earth and eternal life with their Son in heaven.
Holy Mother, we also pray for all abortionists and all abortion supporters that they may
be converted and accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Saviour. Amen.
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Prayer to Obtain a Conversion
O glorious patriarch St. Joseph, who merited to be called "just" by the Holy Spirit, I
urgently recommend to you, the soul of Henry Morgentaler, which Jesus redeemed
at the price of His Precious Blood. You know how deplorable is the state, and how
unhappy the life, of those who have banished this loving Saviour from their hearts,
and how greatly they are exposed to the danger of losing Him eternally. Permit
not, I beseech you, that a soul so dear to me should continue any longer in its evil
ways; preserve it from the danger that threatens it; touch the heart of the
prodigal child and conduct him back to the bosom of the fondest of fathers.
Abandon him not, I implore you, 'til you have opened to him the gates of the
heavenly city, where he will praise and bless you throughout eternity for the
happiness which he will owe to your powerful intercession. Amen
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Week 3 Articles:
The 3rd week of responses to the Order of Morgentaler has seen further in-
depth analysis of the abortion issue. This must come as a surprise to those
who thought the abortion issue was long settled in Canada. A remarkably
incisive article by George Jonas of the National Post (Click on From Crime to
Virtue) is a good example of this. In this article, abortion is viewed from a
historical perspective. A few decades abortion was considered a criminal act. A
few millennia ago, "in ancient Sparta parents used to toss their substandard
children off a cliff…" This clearly implies that even people of this ancient pagan
civilization would be shocked by the scale of the killing of perfectly normal
fetuses done in our modern secular society. Can we call this progress?
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Another reflective article of note is one entitled: "Why Is the Pro-Life Movement
So Christian, and Should it be?" by John Jalsevac from Life Site News:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071510.html

In this article Jalsevac notes that while some pro-lifers while readily
acknowledging that their cause is dominated by Christians, also suggest that
it might be advantageous to the cause to exorcise it from "open Christianity".  
The advantages of such a tactic would be to attract other religions, and to
make less likely the widely held media claim that pro-lifers are comprised of non-
reasoning Christian fanatics. By comparing the Pro-life cause to the British
slavery abolitionist movement a few centuries ago, Jalsevac shows the fallacy
of such a tactic. The most important opponents to slavery (at least in the early
part of the debate) were "monks, priests and Christian laity. Secular and non-
Christian resistance was unheard of". What prevents the secularists from being
swayed even by convincing non-religious arguments?…it's basically flaws in
human nature. In the case of slavery it's addiction to economic prosperity which
was thought to rely heavily on a very cheap work force. With abortion it's
addiction to a promiscuous lifestyle. One needs a higher moral calling to break
into such a mind set.

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Although not directly related to the Morgentaler Award, the homily given by
Cardinal Pell at the opening Mass of World Youth Day offers a lot of food for
thought:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071703.html

A lot of Catholics and Christians, although overtly pious and devout, spend their
life "sitting on the fence, keeping your options open". They are like the "dry
bones" described by the prophet Ezekiel. Each person must make a
commitment "and declare himself in the age-old struggle between good and
evil…..it is not good enough to be only a passenger, to try to live in 'no-man's
land' between the warring parties….". This has obvious ramifications for
Catholics/ Christians regarding the abortion issue.
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.....Added more recently
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  Week 4 Articles:

   It's not about a "woman's right to control her own body" : http:
//bluewavecanada.blogspot.com/2008/08/its-not-about-womans-right-to-
control.html

   Man Booted from Leadership in Monarchist League for Objection to
Morgentaler Order of Canada: http://www.lifesitenews.
com/ldn/2008/jul/08072503.html

From Abortion Mill to Baptismal Fount:
http://www.catholicexchange.com/2008/07/18/113198/

The Knights of Columbus get involved. See:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071712.html

Last Abortion Clinic in South Dakota Closes after Law Requires Patients be
Informed of Possible Side Effects:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/080724.html#1

The StarPheonix : Morgentaler award renews abortion debate. See:
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=0256579b-
f7b8-4e95-a658-47fe293e4862

Traditional Anglican Bishops Protest:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071805.html

Massive New Poll: 56% of Canadians Oppose Morgentaler Order of Canada:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08072202.html

9th Order of Canada Medal Returned:
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=7b637fa2-
4d50-43f6-96f1-4698828aa857
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Best Website to stay up to date with latest developments: http://www.lifesitenews.com/

Best  Blog Sites: http://www.prowomanprolife.org/