School board shuffles on abortion
By Frank Kennedy
The Interim
UNICEF, the international operation with a pro-abortion, anti-family agenda that was booted out of the Toronto Catholic District School Board five years ago, failed in its attempt to get back into the Halloween fundraising scene at a recent board meeting.
In fact, it even failed to make a presentation to a human resources, program and religious affairs committee meeting on May 7. Catholics for a Free Choice, a minuscule but well-financed organization, funded by the Packard Foundation in the U.S. to the tune of $600,000, was to make the case for UNICEF, but also failed to turn up.
However, it wasn't all good news for pro-lifers, as Aid to Women lost its ability to raise funds with its Halloween boxes, distributed through select schools in October. Two recognized Catholic charities, Holy Childhood and Development and Peace, maintained school board approval for their Halloween fundraising activities.
After a lengthy discussion, Aid to Women lost their Halloween fundraising abilities but were allowed to take part in the schools' annual Respect for Life Week. The proceeds of that fundraising drive will go towards charities such as Aid to Women.
Trustee Josh Colle's initiative, along with strong support from trustees Mike Del Grande, Angela Kennedy and Paul Crawford, received unanimous support. For this year only, the campaign will follow two weeks after the Respect for Life week ,which was taking place at the time The Interim went to press. The second motion unanimously passed was for "the board staff to organize the campaign during the Respect for Life week."
After the meeting, Harry Murphy, superintendent of education, curriculum and accountability, promised Aid to Women volunteers the total co-operation of the board. He was very optimistic, not only about Aid to Women's fundraising prospects, but the opportunity to present pro-life arguments to the board's 100,000 school children. Murphy sought Aid to Women representation on the new committee and an Aid to Women volunteer present agreed to serve.
Speaking on behalf of Aid to Women were pro-life icon and Interim columnist Father Ted Colleton, lawyer Angela Costigan, and former school board trustee and Aid to Women founder Dick Cochrane. They were each allowed about five minutes to speak and they spoke eloquently and enthusiastically about the wonderful work done by Aid to Women over the years. Cochrane noted that Aid to Women has saved the lives of more than 1,000 babies from its location next door to a downtown Toronto abortuary.
Aid to Women's Joanne Dieleman told The Interim that while "one door was shut, another door was open."
She said Aid to Women is now trying to figure out how best to use the opportunity to address students during the board's pro-life week.
