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They Need to Care After Birth
By John Mohan
After two failed attempts, the third time has proven the charm for abortion
rights advocate Dr. Henry Morgentaler.
Although the names and reasons of many others appointed to the Order of
Canada have raised eyebrows over the years, last week's announcement of
Morgentaler has garnered the strongest reaction --both for and against.
The Advisory Council's vote was uncharacteristically less than a consensus
having to resort to a rare recorded vote. The general public seems to be
at a loss as to how Morgentaler's crusade for easier abortion access has
made Canada a decidedly better country or increases Canadian pride on the
international stage.
Pro-choice supporters are using the Order of Canada announcement to assert
Canadians have become as blase to unrestricted abortion on demand as they
are to going to the dentist. But there is little evidence to substantiate
that.
Has anyone seen a "Kiss me, I just had an abortion" T-shirt?
People get birth announcements from proud parents, but who has received
an "Abortion Announcement" in the mail or a celebration cigar
from an excited would-have-been father?
Like it or not, Morgentaler's 40-year commitment to, according to the
Order of Canada announcement, "health-care options for women" (meaning
abortion-related efforts to provide and legalize abortion on demand) has
done little to change public opinion, as Canadians still don't accept the
life-ending procedure in the same way as getting a tooth pulled. Most opinion
polls reveal the majority of Canadians believe the Advisory Council was
wrong to name Morgentaler to Canada's highest civilian honour. Although
his assertion that opposition is restricted to "the usual suspects
from the Catholic Church, fundamentalists and women opposed to women's
rights", outrage is widespread -- being expressed by a broad range
of faith groups, politicians, columnists and private citizens of both genders.
It's estimated that Morgentaler and other practitioners, and the absence
of any abortion-limiting laws in Canada have ensured two million less people
in our country. He says some would have been criminals - so he believes he's done us all
a favour. Economists say had the aborted lived, they would have been a
significant piece of our future labour force. But not all would have been healthy, prosperous contributors to society.
Thousands of Winnipeg children go to school hungry and are in need of
breakfast and lunch programs. What happens to them this summer when schools are closed? Low-income families
struggle with the difficult choice between food and shelter.
Right-to-life advocates should be lobbying our governments to create an
affordable housing strategy. Anti-abortionists speaking for the handicapped's
right to life should be as vocal for more supportive housing and services
for them. Thousands of mothers endure the arduous battle of post-natal
depression. They need long-term care and support. Pro-lifers can be a great
assistance for their recovery.
Pro-life proponents believe that life begins at conception. To be consistent
and influential, responsibility can't end at birth.
Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday,
July 9, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.
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