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Report That Canadian Government Prepared to Ram Gay “Marriage” Bill Through Parliament

Martin government said to be trying to head off growing momentum against bill

OTTAWA, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The National Post reported today that “sources” say Canada’s Liberal government is prepared to go all out within days of next week’s resumption of parliament, “to introduce, debate and pass” its same-sex ‘marriage’ bill. The government’s haste, says the Post, is because it hopes to prevent “the opposition, from within and outside of its party, from gaining any more momentum” against the Martin government’s attempt to impose marriage re-definition on the country.

Verifying that the government has indeed ramped up its most recently understood timetable on the bill, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced today that the legislation would be introduced as soon as parliament returns next Monday. Cotler had previously announced he expected a vote to take place by June.

LifeSiteNews.com interviewed London, Ontario Liberal MP Pat O’Brien today about the National Post report. O’Brien was not aware of the report but responded that the government “would be very, very foolish to do that” and “that wasn’t my understanding” that the government would try to ram the bill through the system.

O’Brien said he hoped the Post report was wrong. He told LifeSiteNews.com, “I think it’s more likely that the vote will not come before spring. Now if they are determined to ram it through I think they’re going to have great difficulty doing that because they are going to get huge opposition.” “It’s bad enough," he added, “that they want to bring in a bad piece of legislation but then if they want to be arrogant and short circuit the process, they’re going to have a huge outcry. I just don’t think they’ll be that arrogant and that stupid, but it’s possible."

The outspokenly pro-family MP cautioned “It’s speculation at this time” but acknowledged traditional marriage supporters should nevertheless “be prepared for an attempt to steamroll” the legislation.

Gwen Llandolt of Canada’s REAL Women told LifeSiteNews.com her information was that the bill would be put into second reading “very quickly.” She emphasized the importance of the second reading vote and that “it will give a pretty good indication of where the final votes on the bill will likely fall.”

Noting that second reading passage would automatically send the proposed legislation to committee, Landolt warned the government will stack the committee with MPs who favour same-sex marriage. Just as they did with the homosexual hate crimes Bill C-250, she said we should expect the government to manipulate the committee process to ram the bill through the hearings.

Landolt is strongly encouraging every single group concerned about protecting marriage to make a formal request to appear before the committee. This request should be made, she advised, immediately after the bill is introduced next week and given a number. She added, however, that lobbying of individual MPs by their constituents, is still the on-going priority.

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Knights of Columbus Challenged by Canadian Lesbians for Refusing to Rent Hall for "Wedding" Reception

National Post editorial warns ruling agains Knights would set country "down a very dangerous path"

VANCOUVER, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - When the Supreme Court of Canada declined to rule against changing the definition of marriage, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops praised and thanked the Court for not forcing them to officiate at gay nuptials.

Other groups, however, were not so optimistic about the Supreme Court’s generosity in declining to engage directly in the persecution of Christians. Campaign Life Coalition called the ruling a ‘disaster.’ Mary Ellen Douglas, National Organizer for CLC said, “One wonders when even these (religious) freedoms will be compromised by judicial activism.”

Canadian Catholics did not have to wait long for the test case. The CBC reported Tuesday that two lesbians are in the process of an action against the Catholic men’s organization, the Knights of Columbus, for refusing to rent them a hall for their same-sex ‘wedding’ reception.

In 2003, Deborah Chymyshyn and Tracey Smith rented a Knights of Columbus hall in Port Coquitlam. When the Knights became aware that it was to be for a homosexual couple, they cancelled the booking. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal began hearing their case on Monday and a ruling is expected tomorrow.

Despite the fulsome praise from some Canadian bishops, it is notable that the Supreme Court offered no protection for non-clerical objectors. Thus, Christian groups such as the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League, not being priests who are asked to officiate, are just as vulnerable as always to gay activist attacks in the courts and Human Rights Tribunals.

Thus far, Canada’s judicial courts and extra-judicial Human Rights Tribunals have maintained a near-perfect record of finding against Christians’ right to freedom of religion over gay activist demands.

In an unusually strong editorial today, the National Post warned that a victory by the lesbian couple "would set the province - and indeed, the entire country - down a very dangerous path." The editorial noted that "Those who seek to humble traditional religion in this country in the name of radical identity politics know just what they are doing." That "doing," explained the Post, is to deny religious organizations the freedom to discriminate and choose what they believe to be moral or immoral. The editorial concluded, "for that right to be taken away even before gay marriage has been enshrined in federal law would be an immensely dark omen."

Read CBC News coverage:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/01/24/lesbian-wedding-050124.html

See National Post editorial
Freedom of religion under threat
http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/comment/story.html?id=66c58252-...

Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Canada's Supreme Court Gives Its Blessing to Homosexual 'Marriage' - Legislative Fight Next http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/dec/041209.html

Canadian Pro-Family Groups Respond To Supreme Court Reference Decision
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/dec/04120902.html

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Second Successful Abortion-Cancer Lawsuit in U.S. Completed

PORTLAND, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Monday marked the completion of a successful lawsuit against an abortion clinic and a physician for performing an abortion on a 15-year-old girl without informing her of the psychological risks and the increased risk of breast cancer. It is the second abortion-cancer lawsuit to be successfully prosecuted in the U.S. and the first case to obtain a judgment.

The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, a women’s group which has worked for years to have the scientific and medical communities come clean on the known link between abortion and breast cancer applauded the decision. Karen Malec, president of the coalition told LifeSiteNews.com that recently the National Catholic Bioethics Center confirmed abortion is related to breast cancer and chastised the scientific community for being too cowardly to speak out against politically motivated "shoddy research” manufactured to show no link.

All Women's Health Services, a clinic in Portland, Oregon, made an offer of judgment last year, allowing the plaintiff to win the lawsuit without a trial. The judge signed the agreement on January 24, 2005. The amount of the judgment is confidential.

The teenaged plaintiff has a family history of breast cancer and indicated a history of cancer on the clinic intake forms. According to research in 1994 by Janet Daling and her colleagues at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, teenagers with a family history of the disease who procure abortions before age 18 have an incalculably high breast cancer risk.

Abortions that occur before the birth of a first child are the most carcinogenic, a finding supported by biological and epidemiological evidence.

Malec, remarked, "Women have been told lies about the research and have been cruelly exploited by two industries - the breast cancer fundraising industry and the abortion industry. Women will not receive justice until they file civil lawsuits."

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U.S. Senate Republicans Committed to Pro-Marriage Amendment

WASHINGTON, January 26, 2005 (CWNews.com/LifeSiteNews.com) - Republican leaders in the US Senate have indicated their commitment to push for a constitutional amendment protecting marriage, putting that issue at the top of their legislative calendar.

As he introduced the Senate agenda to the press, Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, the Republican majority leader, emphasized the importance of Senate Joint Resolution #1, the bill to amend the constitution by defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Frist noted that by listing the proposed amendment first, the Republican leadership meant to highlight their commitment "to defend marriage against activist judges."

Senator Frist said that he was hopeful the proposed amendment would be passed by the current Congress. Proponents of the measure have expressed confidence that they gained legislative votes in the November elections.

Pro-family activists in Washington have been pressing the White House for stronger support of the defense-of-marriage amendment. Some conservatives have said they might withhold their support from White House economic proposals if they do not receive a guarantee that President Bush will push the marriage amendment.

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Clinton's Attempt to Conciliate Pro-Life Americans Includes Call For Wider Access to Abortifacient MAP Pill

WASHINGTON, January 25, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has become the latest in a growing parade of Democratic Party abortion militants attempting to mollify the American voting public on moral issues. In a January 4th speech to about a thousand abortion supporters Clinton said, “I for one respect those who believe with all their heart and conscience that there are no circumstances under which abortion should be available.” Her comments, however, are failing to impress pro-lifers.

Dusting off a slogan of former president and husband Bill Clinton, that abortion ought to be ‘safe, legal and rare,’ Hillary told the crowd that she considers abortion a “tragic choice for many.” She praised faith and ‘organized religion’ for promoting teen celibacy. “The fact is, the best way to reduce the number of abortions is to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in the first place,” Mrs. Clinton said.

In a further attempt to distance herself from her reputation as a feminist extremist, Clinton called for abstinence education to be included in sex-ed programmes. Her suggestion will ring hollow however, since she also suggested that the solution to abortion is wider availability of abortifacient contraceptives such as the morning after pill.

Until the latest election, Democratic rhetoric on abortion was guided by the extreme end of militant feminism while ignoring polls showing most Americans favored at least some restrictions on abortion. With the resounding defeat of their abortion and gay ‘marriage’ platform, the Democrats have realized that they need to tone down their abortion militancy.

Pro-lifers are treating the new conciliatory language with disdain however. Jeff Miller, on his weblog, “The Curt Jester,” commented that Clinton’s remarks were clearly motivated by the Democrats’ panic over the post-election exit polls. “If she considers the argument for more sex-education, emergency contraception, family planning as less incendiary then she is greatly mistaken,” Miller wrote.

“We can expect much more of these phony conciliatory tones from presidential candidates as we approach 2008.” Miller wrote. He summarized the Democrats’ message to pro-life Americans, “‘We are totally for abortion in every circumstance and will fight to prevent any encroachment on abortion, buy hey, if you’re pro-life we respect your deeply held opinion, so vote for us!’”

Coverage of Clinton’s talk from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/politics/25cnd-clinton.html?oref=login

Commentary from the Curt Jester:
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/005418.php

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Italian Woman who Refused an Abortion Dies of Cancer

ROME, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, wrote on Tuesday that a woman who refused cancer treatment to save the life of her unborn child is a ‘hero.’

“She was aware that if she gave birth she wouldn't have had any hope of surviving,” the Vatican paper wrote. “Despite that she went through with her choice, the choice of welcoming new life even at the cost of her own death.”

Rita Fedrizzi 41, who refused the abortion and cancer treatment, joins the ranks of a number of other women praised by the Holy See for their lifegiving sacrifice. Last year, Pope John Paul II canonized Italian pediatrician, Gianna Molla, who died in 1962. Molla also refused to be treated for cancer and died days after giving birth to a daughter.

Fedrizzi died this week, three months after giving birth to a baby boy. “Rita’s choice, which I always shared, was a choice of faith,” her husband, Enrico Ferrari, told the Italian news agency ANSA. “Whenever someone recommended abortion as the only way to escape (death), she would say, “It’s as if they’re asking me to kill one of my other two children to save my skin,” he said.

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Liberal Government Pressuring New Brunswick to Fund Abortion

FREDERICTON, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Canada’s Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh is pressing the New Brunswick government over its refusal to publicly fund all abortions.

New Brunswick currently funds abortions only when committed in approved hospitals and after two doctors have deemed the procedure medically necessary. Dosanjh claims the province is violating the Canada Health Act for refusing to use public money to fund what it considers to be an always medically necessary procedure.

Campaign Life Coalition New Brunswick president Peter Ryan stated, “I am not surprised that Mr. Dosanjh is trying to force New Brunswickers to pay for the unnecesary death of some 600 of our province’s children each year. He has been a pro-abortion extremist since his days as NDP Attorney-General in BC when he was in favour of arresting people for peacefully protesting outside abortion clinics.”

Ryan considers Dosanjh’s actions to be “on thin legal ground.” The provincial pro-life leader stated, “New Brunswick is not violating the Canada Health Act. The Act says nothing about abortion. Constitutionally, the federal government has no business dictating to the provinces whether they fund abortion or not.”

Ryan added, “The province should stand its ground. The minister is demanding that the province break its own law against funding abortion on demand at private clinics. If necessary, the province should fight the feds in court. We have a good case.”

“In Henry Morgentaler’s lawsuit the question of whether New Brunswick’s law violates the Canada Health Act is already before the courts” said Ryan. He emphasised that “Mr. Dosanjh should leave it there.”

Pro-life groups in BC demanded the resignation of then NDP Attorney General Dosanjh in 1999 after learning the NDP contributed money to the BC Pro-Choice Action Network.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Secret Documents Show Health Canada Investigating Provinces on Abortion Provision
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jan/05011404.html
BC NDP Fund Pro Aborts
http://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/national_news/1999/news_1299.html
Sikh Minister Excuses Pro-Gay Stance Saying Vatican Had No Effect on Catholic Prime Minister
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jan/05011807.html
BC Premier Making Abortion An Election Issue http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/feb/01022803.html
BC Premier Demonstrates Pro-Abortion Activism In Throne Speech
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/mar/01031501.html

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Abortion Linked to first Increase in US Infant Mortality in 44 Years

WASHINGTON, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released figures Monday revealing that the US infant mortality rate rose in 2002 for the first time in 44 years, due to an increased number of very low birth weight babies.

Very low birth weights occur in babies who are born prematurely – a phenomenon which can often be directly tied to a mother's previous history of abortion.

The increase in infant mortality, from 6.8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2001 to 7.0 in 2002, was the first increase in the infant mortality rate since 1958 as reported by the CDC.

Researcher Brent Rooney, with the Reduce Preterm Risk Coalition, compiled a list of twenty-seven studies published in major medical journals showing a significantly elevated risk of premature birth from prior induced abortions.

Medical research indicates that pre-term birth increases the risk of respiratory distress and asthma, Cerebral Palsy and death. The Journal of the American Medical Association, British Medical Journal, The New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Public Health and others all published studies showing the link.

Rooney told LifeSiteNews.com in September that a French study examining 10 European countries, including France, reported that prior abortions boosted the risk of very preterm (i.e. before 32 weeks' gestation) birth. One abortion elevated every preterm risk by 1/3 and two prior abortions boosted the risk by 47%.

“Birthweight is one of the most important predictors of an infant’s survival chances,” according to CDC epidemiologist Marian F. MacDorman. “The infant mortality rate for very low birth weight infants [less than 1 lb, 10.5 oz] was 105 times higher than the rate for infants born weighing [5 lb, 8 oz] or more.”

Multiple births may also contribute to the increase in low birth weight infants, according to the CDC. Multiple births usually occur in women using in vitro fertilization treatments to achieve pregnancy.

Read related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
French Medical Giant links Abortion to Preemie Births
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/sep/04092002.html
Major Study Finds Mother's Abortion History Is a Factor In Health Of Newborns
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/jul/02070303.html

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Halifax Archdiocese Releases “Speak up for Marriage” Guide on Same-Sex “Marriage”

HALIFAX, January 26, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic Archdiocese of Halifax has released a guide called Speak up for Marriage – A Guide for Reflection and Action, to help Catholics understand the same-sex “marriage” issue – and what they can do about it.

“As Roman Catholic Christians, we have an important word to speak about our human condition and the destiny of our society,” the guide explains. “We have a responsibility to participate in this social debate, in every way we can.”

“The effect of this proposed legislation to change the law of marriage will be to change the reality of marriage in Canada forever, for everyone,” the guide continues. “The fundamental social structure with certain elements that protect the creation and education of children will no longer exist as we know it.”

“The social institution that has always symbolized our society’s commitment to the future – our children, will be transformed into an institution that symbolizes our commitment to the present – the needs and desires of adults. Marriage will have a new primary purpose, to validate and protect sexually intimate adult relationships.”

When it comes to the question of so-called human rights, the Archdiocese argues that “Government has a solemn obligation to protect, not re-engineer, an institution that is more fundamental to human life than the state.”

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast heads the archdiocese.

Read the full (pdf) version at: http://www.catholichalifax.org/Marriage%20Issues/Marriage%20Broshure.pdf

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LifeSiteNews.com NewsBytes

Scalia Rips Activist Judges
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2005/1/26/95436.shtml

Coalition of pro-family groups to Bush: Don't Relegate Marriage to Back Burner
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/262005a.asp

Focus on the Family's James Dobson urges Canadians to oppose same-sex marriage
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=737&e=2&u=/cpress/2005...

Chirac: Global tax needed for AIDS: Wants levy on airline tickets, fuel
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42568

Canadian polygamy laws need to be reviewed: activist
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1106749304265_34/?hub=Canada

Canada Top U.S. Supplier of Pot, Speed and Steroids
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050125.wmeths25/BNStory/Nat...

Education secretary blasts PBS for cartoon with gay characters
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/01/26/education_secre...

Black Americans suspect HIV plot
http://www.guardian.co.uk/aids/story/0,7369,1398419,00.html

Bishops in Florida and Across U.S. Urged to Intervene to Save Shiavo
http://www.spiritdaily.com/schiavoplea.htm

Judge Delays Decision On Infant's Life
http://www.click2houston.com/news/4127960/detail.html

United Methodist Bishop: 'Moral Horror' of Abortion
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/252005h.asp

Author airs conspiracy theory on Immunologist's death
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Jan/20050123News004.asp

Sex health expert attacks Catholic Church
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/32111.html

Animal-Human Hybrids Spark Controversy
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0125_050125_chimeras.html

25% UK Youths Revealed To Be Criminals
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=AQFSZ2WF1YKAJQFIQMGCM54AVCB...

Wiccans meeting on Air Force base
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42558

Transsexuals get free reign in restrooms?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42571

ACLU behind Illinois' forced hiring of 'gays'
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42563

Bill Takes Arkansas Schools' Textbook Definition of Marriage from Voters
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/262005c.asp

Cost for Ignoring the Principal? No More School Dances ...
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/1/afa/262005e.asp

South Africa enraged by Catholic ban on condoms
http://www.afrol.com/articles/15359

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