Wednesday September 18, 2002
CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION DEFENDS ADVERTISMENT IN PRO-ABORTION MAG
Pro-Abortion E-Mag Alters Sponsor Page To Deflect Criticism
OTTAWA, September 18, 2002 (LSN.ca) - The President of the Catholic Health Association of Canada (CHAC) wrote LifeSite yesterday to object to LifeSite's coverage of the CHAC sponsorship of the pro-abortion magazine "The Social Edge." Dr. Richard Haughian, whose doctorate is in theology and not medicine, said that the CHAC only "advertises (sic) its Web site on The Social Edge magazine and therefore is not a sponsor."
LifeSite called Dr. Haughian, a former Jesuit priest, for clarification on his objection since many would consider regular paid advertisements in this dissident opinion magazine as sponsoring the magazine. Dr. Haughian refused to answer when asked if he objected to the magazine's content. When asked if the CHAC would advertise in Playboy for instance, Haughian answered "No" and ended the conversation abruptly. Pro-lifers were left with the impression that the CHAC considers that a sexually explicit magazine would not be worthy of its paid advertising, but an equally reprehensible, morally dissident Catholic magazine somehow could receive paid advertising.
Interestingly, The Social Edge website's sponsor page has been altered since LifeSite exposed the controversial sponsorships. The sponsor page was recently updated to include the heading "The following groups advertise in The Social Edge. This doesn't imply endorsement of the varied views expressed in any edition." Although Dr. Haughian made sure to quote the disclaimer in his letter to LifeSite, he failed to mention that the disclaimer was newly added. (LifeSite will send interested parties cached versions of the old and new versions of the sponsorship page)
Dr. Haughian concludes his letter, "We would appreciate it if you could rectify this situation, as your statement about the CHAC was inaccurate." We hope we have clarified the situation.
See LifeSite's original coverage:
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE SPONSORS PRO-ABORTION MAGAZINE
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/sep/02090602.html
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