By: Christine Mathew
The wise J. R. R. Tolkien wrote in the Return of the King, “Oft hope is born when all is forlorn.”
As a Canadian, born, raised and now living in the Nation’s Capital of Ottawa, I get to witness the many dimensions of the pro-life movement. For those who don’t know much about my beautiful country of Canada, I detail, very concisely below, and broadly paint the historical and political climate of the issues around life.
Historical
In 1969, under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the Criminal Code was amended, such that abortion was permitted if a special committee of doctors discerned that abortion was necessary to preserve the mother’s health or life.
In 1988, Dr. Henry Morgentaler was prosecuted in the Supreme Court of Canada, R. v Morgentaler for providing abortion. The Court found that the existing Criminal Code was in violation of women’s right to “life, liberty and security of the person” – a right that was secured under the Charter of Rights and Freedom. The law against abortion was struck down and was considered unconstitutional and unenforceable.
Since then, all legal attempts to restriction have failed. Currently, no law exists, and abortion is a publicly funded medical service, paid by taxpayers. Dr. Henry Morgentaler received the Order of Canada award in 2008. In June 2016, Parliament passed a federal legislation that permits eligible Canadians to request medical assistance in dying.
Political
In 2014, current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Trudeau, asserted that all members of his Liberal Party caucus must vote pro-choice, leaving no room for pro-life Liberals in his party. Last summer (2018), the same government banned anti-abortion groups from receiving summer jobs funding. With regards to sex-selective abortions in Canada, all legal attempts have been denied or have failed, even on the basis of gender-based discrimination. Most recently, in May 2019, Ontario physicians who object to medical assisted dying, abortion or birth control, on moral or conscience grounds, are now required by law to offer their patients an effective referral – an assault on the freedom of conscience.
Canadian Hope
With the grim landscape I painted above, the natural response can be discouragement, but as G. K. Chesterton reminds us that it is “exactly at the instant when hope ceases to be reasonable, that it begins to be useful.”
As a Catholic, I hold onto that supernatural Hope. Just as the matters pertaining to Life in Canada are complex and multifaceted, to change this current, involves multi-faceted approaches too, guided by the Holy Spirit.
This will involve prayer and intercession, countless Masses being offered, fasting and more prayer. This will involve non-religious debate, intelligent conversations, logic – all rooted in charity and respect for the other human person. This will involve getting wise politicians into public office, prudent researchers and health practitioners. This will involve the many holy families of this country – parents and children. This will involve the countless organizations, think tanks and advocacy groups (e.g. RightNow, Campaign Life Coalition, Canadian Centre for Bio-ethical reform, Cardus, etc.). This will involve a reform of the foster care system, improving access to adoption services.
This is Hope, personified. This is my Canadian Hope.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://www.bikingforbabies.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Christine-21.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Christine Mathew is from Ottawa, ON, Canada. With backgrounds in the health sciences and philosophy, she works in health and social care research (mostly evidence synthesis activities), with a bit of freelance editing/writing on the side. She loves to read, write, bike, travel and see live shows. The last city she travelled to was Geneva, Switzerland for a meeting at the World Health Organization, making a pit stop in Rome! [/author_info] [/author]
