LONDON, Ontario, May 31, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Catholic schoolchildren participating in a track and field meet at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) this week have been invited to protest the University’s decision to confer an honorary degree upon abortionist Henry Morgentaler by wearing black armbands.
Sacred Heart School in Parkhill has asked students who will be competing in the track and field meet at UWO today to wear the black armband. Joe Rappai, the director of Education for the London District Catholic School Board said on London’s AM 1290 CJBK Tuesday that he had also emailed all the Catholic schools yesterday asking them to promote black armbands to be worn by students.
“We feel that we need to take this opportunity to be a small light to the world, to teach our children to stand up for our faith and not just let (UWO president) Paul Davenport’s poor decision go by with passive acceptance,” according to a letter written by Sacred Heart parents, as reported by the London Free Press. School principal Andre Lisowyk signed the letter, as did Parkhill parish priest Rev. Michael Ryan. Of 65 pupils competing, 57 had requested the ribbons by Monday afternoon.
“You tell your children to stand up for your faith and this is one way how,” said Michelle Peters, whose 9 and 12 year-old children will be wearing the armbands. “We’ve heard the view it’s not right to use children to fight an adult fight, but we’re not using our children. It’s a family decision.”
The district’s Catholic schools will be at the event for three days – from today until Thursday – organizers are hoping as many as 3,000 students at the meet will wear the mark of disapproval.
Meanwhile, a group of pro-abortion supporters met Monday to organize a counter-demonstration in support of Western’s decision to honour Morgentaler.
Campaign Life Coalition, London is encouraging pro-life people from southwestern Ontario to organize buses and vans to attend the convocation demonstration on June 16, 2005 at Western University. The demonstration will begin at 8:30 am and will assembly near the gates of Western by Alumni Hall, the convocation location.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Canadian Abortionist Morgentaler Honoured by University with Honorary Degree
Professor Draws 250 to Silent March Against University Award to Controversial Abortionist
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