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Bishops of Quebec Unanimously Support Cardinal's Decision to Return Order of Canada

Bishops say it is "imperative to launch a cry of alarm" over the right to life

By John-Henry Westen
 
MONTREAL, September 17, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a letter released last week, the Bishops of Quebec note that they unanimously approve Montreal Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte's decision to turn in his Order of Canada over the nomination of abortionist Henry Morgentaler to the Order.  The letter points to the Quebec legislature's unanimous opposition to the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and the nomination of Morgentaler to the Order of Canada as "particularly disturbing" since they falsely suggest a "social consensus" on abortion.
 
"If we take the future of society to heart," say the Bishops, "it is urgent to hold a civilized and respectful debate on the ethical and legal respect for all human life, including life that is developing in his mother's womb and asks to be accepted." The Bishops point to the contradiction of providing first-rate medical care for premature babies in the face of a total lack of concern for fetal rights.  "At a time when we invest a lot of human and financial resources to save babies born prematurely, this refusal to consider that the fetus is a human being and he can have rights concerns us deeply," they said.
 
Explaining their opposition to the award for Morgentaler, the letter says, "As for us, we can not but express our profound disagreement with this act insofar as it honours a practice repudiated by a large portion of the population and which deprives the country of citizens which are sorely needed."
 
The statement notes that the Bishops, "believe it is imperative to launch a cry of alarm and urge governments and the general population to reflect deeply on this subject."  The Bishops also call for measures to address the "economic and cultural causes of abortion and provide real support to couples and single women faced with difficult choices."
 
"In addition to being a human tragedy, abortion is a political problem," says the statement. "It involves the state, guarantor of the common good and respect for human rights.  It also calls each and every one of us to develop a deep sense of the dignity of every human life and to commit ourselves practically to persons in difficulty."
 
See the full statement from the Quebec Bishops' Conference (in French):
http://www.eveques.qc.ca/communiques/2008/20080911.html

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