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Bill Clinton Picketed at Kitchener Catholic Family Counseling Centre Fundraiser

Pro-life leaders call for removal of diocese support and Catholic name from Centre

by Hilary White

KITCHENER, November 10, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – At yesterday’s fundraising luncheon in Kitchener, Ontario, supporters of Kitchener’s Catholic Family Counseling Centre (CFCC), seemed surprised to find pro-life picketers exposing the star attraction, former President Bill Clinton, as a supporter of late-term abortion.

Jeff Gunnarson, a staffer with Campaign Life Coalition in Toronto, attended the picket and told LifeSiteNews.com that the demonstration was small but effective. About thirty people attended, he said, including a group from the organization Show the Truth who brought a series of large graphic images of aborted children.

Clinton himself, however, avoided the picketers. “We never saw him,” Gunnarson said. “It isn’t that surprising really. I’m sure he knew we were there. Someone always is, no matter where he goes.” Gunnarson told LifeSiteNews.com that they received plenty of support from passers-by.

Signs held by picketers carried captions like, “Not a Catholic Counseling Centre” and “Bill Clinton Supports Late Term Abortions.”

The event was sold out. Indeed, appearances of Bill Clinton in Canada usually sell out completely, even at Catholic gatherings. Canadian Catholics seem to be regularly star-struck by the charismatic abortion president.

The CFCC had come under fire for months from Catholics and other pro-life citizens objecting to their decision to invite Clinton. A flyer handed out at the peaceful demonstration listed Clinton’s record as a militantly pro-abortion president whose position on marriage and family put him at odds with the deepest principles of a large percentage of Americans and Canadians.

Bishop Gerard Bergie, an auxiliary bishop and Chancellor of the Hamilton diocese who was at a meeting of the Ontario Bishops and could not personally attend the picket, had previously told the Kitchener Waterloo Record that Catholics should not attend or support the event.

Nevertheless, the Kitchener Waterloo Record quoted CFCC executive director Cathy Brothers who said the fundraiser had exceeded the Centre’s goal of raising $200,000. 987 people purchased the $500 tickets.

The Counseling Centre has been asked to clarify its position with the Church whose name it uses, but was unable to specify to LifeSiteNews.com exactly in what way it is a Catholic organization. The Centre, despite the name, told LifeSiteNews.com that it did not consider itself as having a mandate to uphold or support Catholic teaching.

The Counselling Centre is also home to a homosexual activist organization, the largest in the area, called tri-Pride that meets regularly on its premises.

Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition, told LifeSiteNews.com that Bishop Bergie called in the morning with a message of support. “He thanked us for being there and regretted that he was unable to join us.” 

Hughes told LifeSiteNews.com, “No Catholic agency should be silly enough to bring someone like this to a fundraiser. It’s a bit like the 30 pieces of silver.” Campaign Life Coalition is calling on the diocese of Hamilton to suspend financial support for the Catholic Family Counseling Centre and remove the name Catholic from the organization.

Hughes said he was satisfied that pro-life supporters had done as much as they could. “We’ve done everything we can to bring attention to the right people, including the many apparently Catholic people in attendance at the event.” According to both Gunnarson and Hughes, many of the cars pulling into the Centre’s parking lot had Rosaries hanging from rear view mirrors.

For Catholics, the crucial question was put in a flyer, handed out by picketers at the event that called on the Catholic diocese of Hamilton to pull diocesan funding for the Centre and to remove the name “Catholic” from their title.

Read previous LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Kitchener Catholic Center Funded by Diocese Supports Gay Pride, Provides Gay Positive Counseling
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/nov/06110704.html

Clinton-Inviting Catholic Family Centre Used For Gay Activist Meetings
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06082404.html

Hamilton Bishop says No to Clinton Appearance at Catholic Counseling Centre
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/aug/06081802.html

To contact the diocese of Hamilton with concerns:
700 King Street W.
Hamilton, ON.,
L8P 1C7
[905] 528-7988
FAX [905] 528-1088

Email:

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