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Bishops: What "Achievements" of Morgentaler's are Being Recognized?

By Tim Waggoner

OTTAWA, July 7, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bishop James Wingle of St. Catharines and Archbishop Raymond Roussin of Vancouver have spoken out strongly against the decision to grant Dr. Henry Morgentaler the Order of Canada, both asking why Canada is honouring a man who has caused so much harm among so many Canadians.

Given the fact that the Order of Canada is meant to recognize "a lifetime of outstanding achievement," Bishop Wingle asked, "What outstanding achievement or service has Henry Morgentaler contributed to the betterment of Canada?" 

Morgentaler has boasted that he has performed over 100,000 abortions, many carried out before 1988 when Canadian law deemed the practice illegal - thereby making him a criminal.  The abortionist's efforts also led to the removal of all the legal protections in Canada for the unborn.  Are these the "achievements," asks Bishop Wingle, that have led to his bestowal with an award officially described as "the centerpiece of Canada's honours system"?

The bishop then accused the Order of Canada committee's decision of showing blatant disregard for the values of millions of Canadian: "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." 

In the face of this decision, that has so severely divided Canadians, Bishop Wingle issued a rallying cry to the ranks of those who fight for the culture of 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," explained the bishop.

He continued by proclaiming the need for all to continue the campaign to have the award revoked:

"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."

Archbishop Roussin, who called the decision appalling, also questioned the "achievements" that Morgentaler was being honored for.

"The irony is that the Order of Canada is intended to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement. Morgentaler's outstanding achievement is an abortion toll of more than 100,000 Canadians a year," said Archbishop Roussin.

He also addressed the fact that Morgentaler's achievement of giving Canadians unrestricted access to abortion has resulted in the death of "more than a million lives," saying that "it is those tiny unborn children who have paid the price for Morgentaler's award."

The archbishop then described how Morgentaler's actions have not only hurt the unborn but have also "emotionally, physically and spiritually damaged" many Canadian women, declaring, "it is an insult to these women and their families to see the man responsible for their wounds honoured with the Order of Canada."

"I invite everyone who is troubled by this award to contact the Governor-General's office to express their disappointment," concluded Archbishop Roussin.

To write the Governor General:
By e-mail at

or by mail at
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean
Governor General of Canada
Rideau Hall
1 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A1

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