Recently, I was a part of an international missions outreach to Cyprus. For a Mediterranean island, it boasts frequent sunshine, beautiful beaches and world-famous hospitality. Historically, Cyprus was the first nation whose leader converted to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Nearly 2,000 years later, it was a privilege to walk in the footsteps of Paul and Barnabas. Similar to Paul’s experiences, our team encountered many areas ... (Continue reading)
Nothing could have prepared Gillian DeSouza for the news she would receive during what was supposed to have been a routine pregnancy care check-up in June of 2008. At the 20th week in her pregnancy, the doctor told Gillian and her ... (Continue reading)
On Oct. 6, pro-abortion students shouted down a presentation by Jose Ruba of the pro-life Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform at McGill University, preventing most of his talk from being heard by those in attendance of the Choose Life-sponsored event. Police were called to the scene and, after repeated requests for civility, two people were arrested, although they were ... (Continue reading)
In 1990, Denise Hounjet-Roth was asked to become president of Campaign Life Coalition Saskatchewan. The invitation came as a surprise for the young mother, pregnant with her second son. She had been a pro-life activist for less than three months. Her introduction to political activism had come in response to pro-life MP Tom Wappel’s announcing his bid for the federal Liberal leadership. As a devout Catholic, Hounjet-Roth received mailings from the ... (Continue reading)
Sept. 23 marked the official kick-off of the Fall 2009 40 Days for Life Campaign. Because of the success of the Canada-wide debut of the campaign this past Spring, seven Canadian cities have joined the roster for 40 Days for Life this Fall along with some new locations. Not only will Toronto host 2 locations this time around, but Kitchener, Ont., will also join the efforts along with Ottawa, Fredericton, Halifax, Montreal and Winnipeg. Kick-off rallies were held in each ... (Continue reading)
On Sept. 11, a lone gunman shot James Pouillon twice, killing the long-time pro-life activist in front of Owosso High School in Owosso, Mich., near Flint. Pouillon, 63, was holding a sign with a newborn child and the ... (Continue reading)
In September, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children held its national conference in conjunction with the annual meeting of the International Right to Life Federation. Conference participants were thus treated to international experts from all corners of the globe who spoke about the challenges to defend human life at all stages. SPUC, which describes itself as the world’s first pro-life pressure group, held its conference at the Hayes Conference Centre in Derbyshire, England, several hours north of London. Jim ... (Continue reading)
For living in a great country in which pro-life activism, despite the obstacles and difficulties, still flourishes. For the means to be actively pro-life – our health, our families, those in the background that make things happen. For the unwed mothers who keep their babies despite feelings of hopelessness and vulnerability or in the face of challenging emotional or physical environments. For those who work in crisis pregnancy centres, who help make the decision to carry a child to term a little easier. For ... (Continue reading)
One of Canada’s most committed pro-life politicians, Stanley Haidasz, passed away August 6 at the age of 86. Haidasz, a Liberal, served in Parliament for nearly a half-century. First elected in 1957, he lost his re-election bid the following year, but regained his Parkdale seat in Toronto in 1962 and was then re-elected five times. In ... (Continue reading)
This fall begins the fifth annual campaign of what organizers are calling “the largest and longest co-ordinated pro-life mobilization in history” – 40 Days for Life. The campaign consists of a three-point program: prayer and fasting, constant vigil outside select abortuaries and community outreach aimed at educating the public and raising awareness. 40 Days for Life began five years ago as an isolated event in Texas, ... (Continue reading)
In its July/August Reality newsletter, REAL Women of Canada warned that the $300 million Human Rights Museum project in Winnipeg, Manitoba “is a mess” because it has “established a biased and duplicitous Content Advisory Committee to determine which displays will be installed in the museum.” REAL Women also warned that content advisory committee “is mainly comprised of feminist/homosexual activists and their supporters.” REAL Women says that while the Advisory Committee “is supposed to be comprised of “human rights experts, scholars and specialists,” ... (Continue reading)
Montreal, Vancouver pride events denied Marquee cash OTTAWA – The Canadian Press reported that the Marquee Tourism Event Program, which doled out $400,000 to the Toronto Pride parade in June, refused in July to fund similar gay pride events in Montreal and Vancouver. Divers-Cite, the organizing committee in Montreal, had asked for $155,000 to promote their gay pride events and add performers, but were denied their request. CP noted, however, that the same committee received an unreported amount ... (Continue reading)
Four years ago, a pro-life group in the small northern Ontario town of Kirkland Lake was experiencing a crisis. It was a story familiar to many such groups across Canada who have been forced to shut down, even as the need for them grows. The three executive members of Kirkland Lake Pro-Life were getting on in age and their health was deteriorating. Then one passed away and the president, veteran pro-lifer Dorothy Carston (now 89), felt she could no longer shoulder ... (Continue reading)
The pro-life community suffered a loss with the passing of Dr. Antonio (Tony) Cecutti on April 17, who died in his 82nd year. Cecutti spent his last days surrounded by his family in St. Michael’s Hospital, the institution where he spent his career as an obstetrician and gynecologist. A 1951 University of Toronto medical school graduate, Cecutti instructed Campaign Life Coalition to interrupt him in his practice at St. Michael’s Hospital – where he eventually rose to chief of staff in ... (Continue reading)
With close to 240,000 members, the Knights of Columbus is Canada's largest Catholic organization. In keeping with Catholic teaching, the order is officially pro-life and over the years, has donated thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars to the pro-life cause. Leading the charge in Ontario is Dan Heffernan, the organization's state advocate for the province. Heffernan ... (Continue reading)