By Gudrun Schultz
OTTAWA, Ontario, June 28, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic and Evangelical Churches of Canada have both voiced their support for the abortion-restriction bill C-338, presented to Parliament on June 21.
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), co-sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus, issued a statement in support of the proposal by Liberal MP Paul Steckle, who tabled An Act to amend the Criminal Code (procuring a miscarriage after 20 weeks of gestation) last week.
Bill C-338 would make performing an abortion after 20 weeks gestation an indictable offence, liable to imprisonment of up to five years or jail for up to two years and/or a fine up to $100,000. Exceptions would be permitted only to save the life of the woman or to “prevent severe, pathological, physical morbidity of the woman.”
“The Catholic Organization for Life and Family is strongly opposed to any deliberate termination of gestation. It is from this conviction that we support the proposal of Liberal MP Paul Steckle,” COLF said in a statement.
“The Catholic Church teaches that all human life must be respected from its conception. From that moment on, the unborn child has a right to the protection of the law.”
“This bill, which aims to prohibit the deliberate provocation of a miscarriage after 20 weeks of gestation, is a step in the right direction. We hope that the Members of the Canadian Parliament will take advantage of this occasion to reconsider the best interests of Canada as regards the protection of the human fetus. This law would enable them to limit the damage that is caused to Canadian society by abortion.”
The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada also voiced support for legislation that would place the first restriction on abortion access in Canada since 1988.The EFC has encouraged members to take action by showing support to Mr. Steckle, pointing out that the majority of Canadians support legislation restricting late-term abortion.
Canada is one of the only countries in the western world that offers no protection whatsoever to the unborn child, permitting abortions up to and including the ninth month for any reason. An Environics Research poll from October 2005 showed that 60 per cent of Canadians want to see some restrictions placed on abortion access, either from conception, at three months or at six months gestation.
See previous LifeSiteNews coverage:
First Bill Restricting Abortion Tabled in Canada Under Conservative Government
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06062105.html