Thoughts on a recent visit to Newfoundland

I have recently returned from a very interesting and inspiring visit to Newfoundland. I had been invited by the President of Marystown Right to Life, Mrs. Suzanna Kilfoy, to speak at a pro-life banquet on May 16. Marystown is a three-and-a-half hour drive from St John's.

I was met at the St John's airport by six members of Right to Life—which made me feel important. We drove straight to the Confederation Building, where the provincial legislature was in session.

In the foyer of the building we were greeted by Mrs Mary Hodder. Mary is a Liberal MHA, a Catholic, and a staunch pro-lifer. She was wearing a rose for life. The reason I was being taken to the session was that Mary was to present a petition, signed by two thousand people, I think, objecting to the funding of the Morgentaler abortuary in St John's.

Pro-life rose

I must say that it gave me a thrill to see this lady, about to enter the provincial chamber, wearing a pro-life rose and taking a public stand against her own party, which is headed by another of our many "Catholic" Pontius Pilate politicians, Premier Brian Tobin. We sat in the gallery, and I nearly fell out of it when I was publicly welcomed!

Having listened to the usual arguments about the fishery, etc., it came to Mary's turn to present her petition. We all sat up and listened. I think it is worth giving it word for word:

"To the Honourable House of Assembly of the Province of Newfoundland in parliament assembled, the petition of the undersigned residents of the District of Newfoundland and Labrador: Whereas public announcement has been made that a substantial portion of transfer payments to this province from the federal government for health care has been designed for full funding of abortions at the Morgentaler Clinic; Whereas we, who are taxpayers in this province, protest and raise objection toward the full funding of an elective procedure; Whereas real and urgent health-care issues in the province - for example, cardiology, renal disease, and cancer detection and treatment - require priority over inappropriate elective procedures; Wherefore, your petitioners pray and request that legislation be enacted immediately to reverse this funding decision, and redirect those health-care transfer payments where the more critical needs will benefit."

The reading of the petition was received with silence and a little applause. My friends do not expect that it will have any effect. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to hear a politician who has the courage to take a public stand against the government's support for the murder of babies.

Like the Lakes of Killarney

After a snack, we left St John's for Marystown. It is indeed a long drive, but the scenery was beautiful and the lakes so numerous that it reminded me of Ireland's famous Killarney. We had an excellent driver in Bill Hynes.

At Marystown I stayed at the Sacred Heart Rectory and enjoyed the hospitality and very interesting company of the Pastor, Fr Wayne Dohey. I preached at all the Masses on Sunday to packed congregations, and took advantage of the occasion to let them know why I had come to Newfoundland.

One of the things which impressed me was the number of teenagers attending the Masses. The banquet was held in a Chinese restaurant in Marystown and was attended by nearly one hundred people. Marystown is a rather small place and that number would be considered almost a record crowd.

Sitting opposite to me was a very distinguished looking gentlemen, who turned out to be Mr. Walsh, the mayor of the town for the past nineteen years, and a very staunch supporter of the pro-life cause. I would like to add that Mary Hodder and her husband were also present to show their support. I found the audience very welcoming, and they even laughed at my jokes—which is the acid test!

Youth club

I also spoke to a teenage youth club, and found them very responsive. On Monday, May 18, I was driven back to St John's, and on Tuesday I flew home to Toronto.

It had been a very busy few days, but also, I hope, very fruitful ones. As everybody knows, Newfoundland and in particular the Catholic Church there, have suffered tremendous scandals in recent years. Also, and perhaps partly as a result, religious schools in the province have creased to exist.

But we have to look at the brighter side. There is an old saying, "Dead bodies float down stream. One has to be alive to swim against the tide." Thank God there are still many people, such as Mary Hodder, Suzanna Kilfoy, and Campaign Life Coalition Newfoundland president Margaret Hynes, who have accepted the challenge and are prepared to swim against the strong current of secularism and materialism.

God grant that their leadership may inspire many others to join them in the Battle for the Babies.