QLC Newsletter - August 2013
Dear Friends of Life,
I trust you and your loved ones are enjoying this blessed summer.
It is a blessed summer, magnificent in its splendour. The weather, the fresh produce, the time for solitary walks, gatherings with friends and family, all contribute to making this season memorable. The harshness of winter and spring has rapidly been forgotten.
We at the Quebec Life Coalition are enjoying this time of year as well and doing so in a pro-life manner.
Our summer fundraiser exceeded our expectations, surpassing the goal we had established. Thank you for believing in our efforts and in the manner by which we are working to rid our society of the scourge of abortion. At the end of this letter, I share more concrete details about the fundraiser.
In terms of pro-life activities, our efforts reflect the tenor of the season – welcoming pilgrims and an outdoor social.
The pilgrims we are welcoming are the Crossroads Walkers. This is a group of college-age men and women who decided to spend their summer walking across our country for the cause of life. Six women and three men left Vancouver this past May and ever since have been slowly making their way eastward on foot. They will end their trek in Ottawa on August 9th. By the end of their walk, they will have travelled close to 6000 km.
This weekend they will be our guests here in Montreal. This will be the third consecutive year that we have hosted them. It begins this evening at Saint-Sylvain parish. The parish`s pro-life group has invited them to partake of their once per month gathering – adoration and mass.
On Saturday, their schedule will take them around town. They begin the day visiting Saint Joseph Oratory for Mass and taking in some of the sights. Afterwards they will walk to the Morgentaler mill via the Mont-Royal cross. On arriving at the mill, time with be spent in silent prayer followed by a picnic in Lahaie Park.
A brief period of free time follows the picnic after which the nine will split up in order to visit different faith communities. Six churches have opened their doors to them while here and these will get to her the group share what it has been like walking across our country. These talks will be given both Saturday evening and Sunday morning.
Once the speaking engagements are over on Sunday, more free-time is available to them. They can visit the shrines on and off the island or just laze around. Monday will then have arrived and before we know it they are leaving for Ste. Anne de Beaupré shrine outside Quebec City.
The outdoor social I noted above concerns yet another activity that we at the Quebec Life Coalition have integrated in our summers – our annual corn roast. This third edition of the outdoor classic will be held on the grounds of St-Émile church - 3330 rue Rivier, Montreal. Last year, under sunny skies, upwards of fifty people attended the afternoon event of corn and conversation.
This year we have added something new – an invited speaker. Father René Larochelle will provide some intellectual substance to accompany the material substance. The corn will be ready for serving at noon and the talk will begin at 2 p.m. and will last about an hour.
Finally, an activity not noted above but one that goes without saying is prayer. We know that the battles for establishing and fostering a culture of life are on-going even during the leisure months of summer. It is important to give thanks to God for the countless blessings he showers upon us and ask for his on-going support in our daily work.
Particularly important is the battle for life in regards to Bill 52, the provincial government’s euthanasia legislation. Little seems to be preventing it from becoming law of the land. Yet as believers we know that there is an even greater power than that of the men and women in our legislative houses who decide upon the outcome of this legislation.
Yours Respectfully,
Brian A. Jenkins
Outreach Coordinator
Quebec Life Coalition
p.s. As noted above, we are particularly buoyed by your response both materially and in prayer for the work we are doing. Many of you have been inspired to participate in our summer fundraiser to pledge in an unprecedented manner. Several became monthly donors. Others contributed substantial one-time amounts. I am deeply heartened by these responses. We had fixed our goal at $8500 and at month’s end, about $9500 has been received, representing over 110% response! Thank you.
Be the first to comment.Irish Meltdown
Little over a week ago, Catholic Ireland passed legislation permitting abortions.
What happenned?
In "Conscience, a last bulwark against totalitarianism", Vincent Twomey argues that failure within the clergy educational system lead many within the priestly class to remain silent or acquiesce to this shift in values.
The kind of fundamental moral theology taught in seminaries in recent decades is one that, contrary to church teaching, denies there are any moral actions, even abortion, that are intrinsically wrong. The moral evaluation of an action depends rather on motive and circumstance. Such a theology also distinguishes between the moral and legal/political spheres, allowing Catholic politicians to put politics above their “private” moral convictions. This theology, though widespread, is radically at variance with church teaching.
For a background article about these events in Ireland, click here.
Be the first to comment.Are Animal Rights Greater Than Fetal Rights?
Does it ever seem to you that animals enjoy more protection than the unborn child?
As I go through the daily email offerings and surf the world wide web, I get this impression quite regularly.
The same seems to be the case for a Finnish medical doctor turned politician who raised the question in a public forum resulting in much turmoil.
Paivi Rasanen, Finish Interior Minister and leader of the nordic country's Christian Democratic Party, made some audacious comments, including referring to abortion as "butchery."
Also, she stated that "animals may not be slaughtered in a painful manner, but it’s not permitted to even discuss the painfulness of abortion."
A full story may be read here.
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A Controversial Ad
The following ad was considered too conversial for the Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles times, and USA Today, and so they refused to allow it in their publication.
Yet, several other american papers thought otherwise and ran it. These include The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Austin Statesman, Dallas Morning News, and Houston Chronicle.
The Chicago Tribune did run an ad that they taught less controversial. Here it is:
Full story here.
Be the first to comment.Falling Canadian Fertility
For a third year in a row Canada's fertility rate has dropped.
Statistics Canada reports that the national average has gone from 1.68 to 1.61 over the three year beginning in 2008.
I reproduce a copy of the statistics below.
A couple things caught my attention.
- The stability of the figures. Whether viewed provincially or federally, over the five years of the figures, the percentage difference between high and low figures is under 10% over the indicated years.
- Below replacement rate. With the exception of one region, the fertility rate falls beneath the generally accepted population replacement level of roughly 2.1 children per woman.
For an accompanying story from Postmedia, click here.
Be the first to comment.QLC Newsletter - July 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Dear Friends of Life,
Blessed summertime greetings to you and your loved ones.
As hinted in our previous newsletter, the Quebec government has indeed gone ahead with a bill permitting the practice of euthanasia in our province.
Fortunately, Bill 52, entitled “An Act permitting end-of-life care,” has only been tabled; it isn't law.
Yet, there is little preventing it from becoming law when the National Assembly resumes in September for all four sitting parties agree with the legislation.
So, is Bill 52 a done deal? No it isn't. Here are three things we can do: pray, study, act.
Pray. We can do little without being in union with and supported by our Divine Maker. Prayer, either individually or with others, brings us closer to God to learn his will. One person suggested forming prayer groups within our own faith communities to counter this threat.
Become knowledgeable. The 20-page bill is available simply by visiting the Quebec National Assembly web site ; if you are having difficulty procuring it, call me (438- 930-8643) and I will walk you through the exercise.
Next to perusing the proposed law itself, read commentaries about it. For instance, Alex Schadenberg, the Executive Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, has commented on the bill’s lack of clarity. Concerning section 3 (3) which states that “End-of-life care means palliative care provided to persons at the end of their lives, including terminal palliative sedation, and medical aid in dying...,” he writes:
Medical aid in dying is a euphemism for euthanasia in the bill. The bill states that doctors would “administer” medical aid in dying. The bill is decriminalizing euthanasia and not assisted suicide. Euthanasia is a form of homicide since it directly and intentionally causes the death of a person, usually by lethal injection.
Here is a sampling of other voices opposing this dangerous law.
- Beauchamp, Dr. Marc and Me. Michel Racicot, “Why Bill 52 Should Not Become Law” in the opinion section of The Montreal Gazette, Wednesday, June 26, 2013.
- Somerville, Dr. Margaret, “Quebec is trying to legalize euthanasia by naming it something else. It’s still wrong,” in the opinion section of The Globe and Mail, Wednesday, June 19, 2013.
- Hasbrouck, Mrs. Amy, “Bill 52: Bad Medicine,” available on the website of “Toujours Vivant – Not Dead Yet,” (http://tvndy.ca/).
Act. Consider calling or, even better, visiting your MNA. Our elected officials need to know that this is a dangerous law. We need to say NO to bill 52 and euthanasia, and YES to a natural death with TRUE palliative care, NOT to terminal palliative sedation.
If you do not know who your MNA is, find out by calling the National Assembly at (866) 337-8837.
Also, consider visiting your elected official. Summer is here and many will be returning to their home riding. Take advantage of this to visit them either in their office or at public gatherings such as a corn roast. Their office locations are readily available again by calling Quebec City.
Pray. Study. Act.
Remember. You are not alone. Many physicians are speaking up about the pending dangers of this law. This past May 18, 2013, a physician group – “Total Refusal of Euthanasia … Caring, not Killing,” was a principal organizer that brought 1700 persons to Quebec City to voice their disapproval of the government’s plans. Now, in light of the legislation, the same organizers of the May 18 event are planning a further civic action. Details will be forthcoming.
Until then, pray, study, and act.
Yours Respectfully,
Brian A. Jenkins
P.S. Thank you for your ongoing support, both spiritual and financial!
Dear Brian,
I wish to protect the elderly and the vulnerable from assisted suicide and euthanasia. Here's my donation to allow QLC to continue its important work.
Be the first to comment.Bill 52: Gazette columnist's lack of professionalism
The war aimed at swaying Quebecers to favour bill 52 turned its rhetorical canons today at the anglophone community.
The Gazette Quebec Bureau Chief, Kevin Dougherty hands a bouquet to the bill's proponents in a complimentary article - "Bill 52: Veronique Hivon's long battle," about the legislation that will permit the practice of euthanasia of our fellow citizens.
(Above: Quebec minister Veronique Hivon waves as she is applauded by members of the legislature after she tabled Bill 52. Photo by Jacques Boissinot, CP)
Dougherty (pictured below) argues that the inter-party concord that has prevailed over the process leading up to the tabling of the proposed law is a sign of the merit of this legislation.
Unfortunately Mr. Dougherty's professionalism is lacking on three fronts.
- His logic. It does not follow that if political parties agree on a particular law, then that law is a good one. History is rife with examples: apartheid, segregation, ...
- His objectivity. He subordinates his journalistic duty to that of being a mouth-piece for the government as he spouts the bill's objectives of solidarity, compassion, and respect. Is one really being compassionate when killing a patient to end his pain? Is this really respectful of their dignity?
- His ethics. Finally, through his copious references to anglophone MNA Geoffrey Kelley who endorses the bill, our columnist wishes to sway readers by appealing to a kindred authority figure.
Dear Mr. Dougherty, no institution or government agency should be given the right or power to take the life of an innocent human person.
(Bill 52, entitled "An Act respecting end-of-life care," was tabled this past June 12, 2013, and will be debated when the provincial legislature reopens this Fall, at the conclusion of the Summer recess. You may consult the 20-page proposed legislation by clicking here as well as leave your comments about it.)
Be the first to comment.Charity, Clarity, Chastity: Prayer vigil
Will you watch one hour with me?
You are invited to sign up for an hour of reparation prayer as part of a campaign to help our same-sex attracted (SSA) brothers and sisters.
This worthwhile initiative, their second, is coordinated by Courage Reparational Group Toronto and EnCourage Toronto to coincide with Toronto's yearly Pride Week.
Participants can register for a time slot in which to pray, fast, and offer sacrifice by visiting the coordinator's website.
Three prayer intentions are being offered. These are:
Charity: We repent of any ways in which persons with SSA or gender identity conflicts have been the object of unjust discrimination, including violent malice in speech or in action, and have been abandoned, rejected, or denied unconditional love. We affirm that there is a place in the Church for persons with SSA and gender identity conflicts, who are included in the universal call to holiness.
Clarity: We repent of any distortions of Church teaching as properly expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2357 to 2359. We affirm that same-sex acts cannot be approved under any circumstances; that same-sex inclinations are objectively disordered, signifying concupiscence and yet not in and of themselves sinful; and that persons, regardless of their inclinations and acts, are made in the image of God, have intrinsic dignity, and are to be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.
Chastity: We repent of any sins against God’s plan for male and female complementarity and the gift of human life, including, but not limited to immodesty, masturbation, artificial birth control and artificial reproductive technologies, abortion, pornography, sexual abuse, adultery, fornication, polygamy, prostitution, no-fault divorce, and same-sex acts. We affirm the unitive and procreative meanings of authentic married love; and the treasure of holy celibacy as lived by single persons, religious, and priests.
Related stories may be found here:
Be the first to comment.A rose by any other name would still smell like a rose
The title for this blog is taken from Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Juliet, the speaker, is saying that names of things do not matter, only what these things "are."
This is pertinent to the current discussion about Bill 52 - "An Act respecting end-of-life care" tabled by the Quebec government this past June 12, 2013.
Bill 52 is not about the sweet smell of roses but rather euthanasia or as the Quebec government prefers to call it, "medical aid in dying," or MAD to use an acronym coined by Margaret Somerville.
Ambiguity in language is one example that Somerville, founding director of the Centre for Medicine, Ethics, and Law at McGill Univeristy, noted in her commentary on Bill 52 which appeared in The Globe and Mail this past June 19, 2013.
Somerville's commentary about this dangerous bill (her descriptor) is "intended simply to identify some of the arguments, reasoning and strategies that it manifests and issues it raises."
Be the first to comment.Why Quebec's Bill 52 should not become law
Bill 52 - "An Act respecting end-of-life care," was tabled this past June 12, 2013, in the National Assembly, days prior to the end of the legislative session.
In today's opinion section of the Gazette, two professionals speak out against this legislation, arguing that its goal is nothing other than active euthanasia.
A couple points which Dr. Marc Beauchamp and Me. Michel Racicot make about the bill include:
1. its use of misleading language
[T]he government terminology is not based on any semantic recognition in known literature, or in our country's case law. (...)
Bill 52 introduces the concept of "terminal palliative sedation" a concept not defined in the bill, and one that causes a lot of confusion. Inasmuch as the goal of such sedation is to cause death, not to relive pain, it is also another form of active euthanasia.
It therefore appears clear that the bill essentially aims, using this newly invented terminology, to eliminate a prohibition ... on a physician voluntarily ending a patient's life.
2. mistaken notion of compassionate
[The government argues that not permitting] euthanasia would be a sign of a lack of compassion on the part of medical staff. Such an affirmation, false and otherwise improper, undermines the recognition of all those who provide care, with humanity and dedication, to suffering patients in Quebec, and who believe the medical staff should not offer euthanasia to end-of-life patients, or cause their death.
The writers, one representing the Physicians' Alliance for Total Refusal of Euthanasia and the other a board member of Living with Dignity Citizens' Network, make several more points before urging elected officials to "share the responsibility for protecting the population" and vote against this law.
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