OTTAWA, January 19, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – This weekend over one quarter of the student body of Ontario, Canada’s Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy (OLSWA) will be driving south across the border to join some two hundred thousand other pro-lifers at the Washington, D.C., March for Life. Jim Hughes, National President of Campaign Life Coalition Canada, which organizes the Canadian March for Life held in May, says he hopes that the move by the Canadian Catholic college may challenge U.S. colleges also to attend the Canadian March for Life in large numbers.
Though a small representative group of OLSWA students attended the march last year, this is the first time the college’s pro-life group has organized an official trip—and the response of the student body is impressive, with attendance numbers multiplying by six. The group feels passionately that they have a duty to protect innocent life and stand up for unborn children who do not have a voice.
“The issue of abortion is not just a Canadian issue. It is something that affects the world at large,” said second-year student Kathleen Dunn, president of OLSWA’s “Paul Sanders and Janine Lieu Pro-Life Club.” The students say they feel that it is important to attend the march because of the major influence American culture has on Canada and the rest of the world.
“If the pro-life voice makes a difference in the abortion laws of America, we can hope that Canada will follow suit,” said first-year student Elliott Warner of Charlottesville, Virginia. “As a Catholic and an American citizen, it is my duty to tell my government that I truly believe that abortion should not be allowed in my country. I am honored that my Canadian classmates are willing to stand along with me to fight for the protection of the children in their neighboring country.”
Dr. Keith Cassidy, President of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, expressed his support: “ I am delighted that so many of our students are willing to make the long trip and sacrifice their weekend to take part in the March for Life. That over a quarter of the student body is willing to do this is a testimony to the deep pro-life spirit found among these remarkable young men and women.”
The students offered their thanks to the Knights of Columbus of Barry’s Bay, Ontario, as well as the others in the community who offered financial assistance to help cover travel expenses.
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy was the first Canadian Institution recommended by the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. Founded in 2000, OLSWA is a Catholic post-secondary liberal arts institution offering one-, two-, and three-year certificates in Christian Humanities. Credits from courses at OLSWA have been accepted at a number of universities, including Franciscan University of Steubenville and Christendom College. The Academy is actively pursuing degree-granting status in the Province of Ontario.