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August 28, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — My Dad was the epitome of a hard-core traditional Mass Catholic. He was a man who went to Mass daily, said many rosaries a day without fail, and bemoaned the loss of the Latin Mass and the abuses of the Novus Ordo.  He was a pro-life activist, donating to the cause and showing up faithfully at the March for Life and Life-Chains even when his aging body and leukemia would advise otherwise.

Imagine how he’d speak to an abortionist. Imagine how he’d communicate to the chief abortionist – Henry Morgentaler if he got the chance.  

Well there’s no need to wonder. I found a sealed letter, a letter I was supposed to send that got lost in the hustle and bustle of big family life. It’s from years ago before my Dad and Henry Morgentaler both passed away.

The letter blows away the false impression of traditional Catholics as hate-filled, judgemental, unkind, uncaring and self-righteous. Check out the kindness and the outreach to Canada’s leading abortionist from this man – Henry Westen – who many would have taken for an extremist. A kinder and gentler man I have never known.

Rest in peace Dad, and pray for me that I may join you there one day.

 

Dear Henry,                                                                                                    Bancroft, 15-4-08

 

Ever since I read a newsletter from C.L.C. (Campaign Life Coalition) I wanted to write to you and thank you for the fairness, indeed, justice of some of your views as reported in that letter! First, I allow me to to address you as Henry, since I am your namesake. My name has also been Henry, for so, these eighty years (erring a few months) of my life. Your birthday, 19 March, is also dear to me, as it is the feastday of St. Joseph, whom I venerate as the chaste spouse of the virgin Father of Jesus. I have often visited the holy shrine in honour of St. Joseph, in Montreal, where I lived for a while.

Now, to come to the reason of my letter. In the CLC newsletter it was reported that you also approved of late abortions. Furthermore you backed the right of medical personnel, ie. doctors and nurses, to refuse to cooperate in abortions – a right that the rabid feminists want to deny them through corrosive legislation! And wonderful to relate, you also had the courage and honesty to declare that, in your opinion, the so-called pro-lifers (usually labelled anti-choicers or anti-abortionist) were not people given to violent methods. These views take courage + have undoubtedly drawn criticism upon you. 

I was sad to learn, however, that your own mother does not love you. Here I wish to to differ with you – no Mother, ever forgets or ceases to love the child she gave birth to. I am sure your mother loves you but may disapprove of your chosen profession.  

Every Mother, especially when older and more mature, realises that the child she gave birth to – is not of her own making. She cooperated, was instrumental in bringing a child to birth. Your Mother has probably often read Psalm 139 of the Jewish BIble, which we Christians inherited from the Jews. There we read: Ps.139, 13-”For thou hast made my reins, Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well….My frame was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth,” etc. These wonderful words I have copied from the Holy Scripts approved by Jewish authorities are true, so true indeed, every child is wonderfully made the complex organs of eyes, ears, brains, etc. the inner organs, altogether a wonderful reality. 

God, Yahweh, is the Designer and creator of all human life, indeed of all life. We can only cooperate or destroy. To nurture to protect and to defend life is the solemn duty of everyone who believes in God the creator. I cannot believe that you are an atheist-as medical doctor you know too much about the mystery of life described so beautifully in Palm 139, above.

My Jewish Bible has other texts which I cannot believe-apply to you-Psalm 14:The fool has said in his heart:” there is no God” and it is repeated in Psalm 53: ”the fool has said in his heart: there is no God”.

Dear Henry. I am 80 (eighty) years old and although I have done many foolish things in my life I could never (thank God) shake my belief in God, Yahweh, the Creator. It just did not make sense to me. I am firmly convinced that, in the bottom of your heart, you can’t say ”there is no God”.

I am on the verge of leaving this earthly life. Perhaps God will grant me a few more years – I also must think you are not far behind me — somewhere between 60 and 70? I hope and pray that you will turn to God who told us in Deuteronomy 6,4: ”hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the lord is one and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might”.

Henry, my namesake, I love you as a fellow creature of God, who is love. I shall pray for you every day.

Shalom,

Henry Westen

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John-Henry is the co-founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of LifeSiteNews.com. He and his wife Dianne have eight children and they live in the Ottawa Valley in Ontario, Canada.

He has spoken at conferences and retreats, and appeared on radio and television throughout the world. John-Henry founded the Rome Life Forum, an annual strategy meeting for life, faith and family leaders worldwide. He is a board member of the John Paul II Academy for Human Life and the Family. He is a consultant to Canada’s largest pro-life organization Campaign Life Coalition, and serves on the executive of the Ontario branch of the organization. He has run three times for political office in the province of Ontario representing the Family Coalition Party.

John-Henry earned an MA from the University of Toronto in School and Child Clinical Psychology and an Honours BA from York University in Psychology.