News

Sister Claims She Did Not Know Of Clinton’s Pro-abortion Record

HAMILTON, ON, Feb 21, 2001 (LSN.ca) – LifeSite has been contacted by U.S. residents who communicated with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamilton, Ontario to object to the Sisters’ approval of former President Bill Clinton as a speaker for their Catholic hospital fundraiser. Sister Anne Anderson, President and Chair of the St. Joseph’s Health Care System, had returned calls and left messages indicating that she was reporting the calls to the U.S. Consulate. One message left by Sister Anderson on the answering machine of California resident Allyson Smith said, “we really do have to report these calls to the U.S. Consulate, so I hope that you’ll understand.”

Smith told LifeSite she left a message with Sister Anderson expressing her dismay that the most pro-abortion president in U.S. history, Bill Clinton, had been invited to speak on behalf of a Catholic institution. After hearing the response from Sister Anderson, Smith reacted saying, “faithful Catholics such as myself, who took the time and trouble to contact the Sisters, are rewarded for their efforts by being reported to the U.S. Consulate.”

LifeSite contacted Sister Anderson who confirmed the calls and said that security measures required that all calls and emails be submitted to the U.S. Consulate and the RCMP to ensure Clinton’s safety. When Smith called the U.S. Consulate in Toronto to inquire about her being reported she was told, “Your name’s not going to be entered on any list. They only take credible threats. She’s only doing what she feels is her Canadian patriotic duty. Rest easy.”

Sister Anderson also told LifeSite she was unaware of the extent of Clinton’s pro-abortion militancy. She accepted an offer from LifeSite to receive materials documenting Clinton’s record on abortion and said she would bring the information to the attention of the general counsel.