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Ontario Catholic University to Feature Prominent Pro-Abortion Politician

WINDSOR, ON, February 7, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On February 13, 2005 a Catholic University in the diocese of London will feature abortion advocate, Stephen Lewis, as a speaker at its 'Christian Culture Series.'

Assumption University is listed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops as a member of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in Canada. The chancellor of the university is Bishop Ronald P. Fabbro, and it's president is Rev. Mario O. D'Souza C.S.B.. Among the nine members of the board of governors, seven are Basilian priests.

As outlined by the series director, Rev. James N. Carruthers, the Christian Culture Series is intended to highlight speakers "who have made a significant contribution to the way we live, think and relate to the world around us."

Lewis is a former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations, and the former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF. In his long political career, Lewis has placed himself unequivocally on the side of the culture of death. Mrs. Stephen Lewis is Michele Landsberg, an extremely outspoken advocate of abortion and radical feminism and venomous opponent of the pro-life movement.

In 1965, as an Ontario MPP, Lewis became the first politician in Canada to introduce a bill to legalize abortion. In 1971, as the Ontario NDP leader, he promised to promote abortion access "as requested" and said he would challenge the federal government to remove abortion from the Criminal Code - a move the Toronto Star described as "the closest any party leader has come to agreeing to 'abortion on demand'."

At the same time, Lewis worked to ensure that abortion on demand would be an indispensable element in the NDP party platform. He wrote that, "a woman's right to control her own body is an integral part of her fight to control her own life. Therefore, she must be able to choose whether or not she wants to bear a child."

In July of 2001, while working at the United Nations, Lewis alleged that the Catholic Church was complicit in the Rwandan genocide.

This is not the first time Lewis has been invited to speak at a Catholic institution. In March of 2001, Lewis was the key note speaker for the annual convention of the Catholic Health Association of Canada (CHAC). Bishop James Wingle, who represented the Canadian bishops at the CHAC, expressed support for pro-lifers who were scandalized at the invitation.

The Vatican document on Catholic universities, Ex Corde Ecclesia, outlines that "any official action or commitment of the University is to be in accord with its Catholic identity." The university is called "a living institutional witness to Christ and his message, so vitally important in cultures marked by secularism."

The clergy and staff at Assumption University have yet to explain how lobbying for abortion on demand is consistent with promotion of Christian culture.

To express concerns contact:

Chancellor of Assumption University:
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, D.D.
Bishop of London
1070 Waterloo Street
London, Ontario N6A 3Y2
Phone: (519) 433-0658 Fax: (519) 433-0011
email:

Director of Christian Culture Series:
Rev. James N. Carruthers, C.S.B.
Phone: (519) 973-7033
email:

President of Assumption University:
Rev. Mario O. D'Souza, C.S.B.
Phone: (519) 973-7033
email:

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