Brian Jenkins

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Week 2 of the "40 Days for Life" prayer vigil for the end of abortion ended as it begun with the weather dominating the proceedings. Artic temperatures, snow, wind, blowing snow have all challenged those having visited the vigil location. My heartfelt thanks goes to all who have braved these conditions, suffering numb toes and frozen finger tips.

WANTED - vigilers. Though our numbers vary between 16 and 20 visitors each day, these are not distributed evenly throughout our 12-hour days. The first and last quarters of each day are solidly packed, but not the middle hours – from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. So, to all able bodied persons, we need your help to cover these middle hours; your presence would go a long way to ease the burden on those of us who are out there.

Number of Saved babies - As of February 24, 142 babies have been saved from being aborted. Praise God!

Weekly Summary:

• Way of the cross – This past Friday, seven of us gathered in Lahaie park and performed the way of the Cross. Prayers were recited, meditations read, and hymns chanted. Regarding the latter, special thanks goes to two members from the Soeurs missionaires Notre-Dame-des-Anges who led the rest of us in song.
• That same night fifteen of us gathered inside Saint Enfant Jesus church for nightly adoration. Begun at 7:30 p.m., Fr. Louis presided over the proceedings: exposition, benediction, and reposition, the latter at 1 a.m. This commemorated the quarter point in our vigil. Another period of adoration is set for the three-quarter mark of the vigil – day 30 (March 14).
• Finally, a crowd of about 30 gathered inside Saint Enfant Jesus church, on Saturday past to partake in an afternoon of prayer for respect for life. Fr. Joel, vicar at the Cathedral, presided.

A look ahead:

• Friday, March 1, 3:00 p.m.: Stations of the Cross
• Friday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.: Pro-Life rosary and fellowship - Saint Raymond Parish (Laval)
• Saturday, March 2, 3:30 p.m.: Sacrament of penance
• Sunday, March 3: Vesper service (6:00 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 5: Mid-vigil mass (7:30 p.m.)

Hope to see many of you at these events.

We’ve completed the first week of the 40 day prayer vigil for the end of abortion - one seventh of the way!

For many, the highlight of this first week was the Tuesday evening kick-off mass. It was presided by Father Jean-René and for several days afterwards, I was reminded how it had inspired many.

Other highlights include:

1. The bitter cold weather of the weekend;
2. Judith Lussier’s scathing commentary - L'esprit du clocher, in the Metro daily makes an reference to our work in front of the Morgentaler abortion mill.

The success of the opening mass bodes well for the mid-vigil event – a second mass, again at Saint Enfant Jésus church (5035 Saint-Dominique street, eastern border of Lahaie park). This will be on Tuesday, March 5, beginning after daily closure of the vigil location in Lahaie park. Mark it on your calendars. A pot-luck gathering will follow the service.

As for the week ahead, several planned events are offered for your interest:

• On Friday, we reach the quarter mark of the vigil, and two events are planned.The usual Friday afternoon Stations of the Cross will begin at 3:00 p.m. while an all-night of adoration is set to begin once the daily closure at 7:00 p.m is completed. It will run until 6:30 a.m. when reposition will be done. A mass for those interested will follow at 8:00 a.m. (lauds at 7:40 a.m.) in the convent of the Franciscans Missionary Sisters of Mary (80 Laurier St. East).
• On Saturday, Father Joel, vicar at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral will direct an afternoon meditation on the culture of life inside Saint Enfant Jésus church. This begins at 2:00 p.m. and runs through until 3:30 p.m. The Sunday eve mass will follow at 4:00 p.m. There will be adoration and possibly the sacrament of penance.
• Finally, Sunday afternoon a vesper service is scheduled beginning at 6:00 p.m. – either in the park or inside saint Enfant Jésus church.

Hope to see many of you at these events.

 Tonight we launch the 40-day prayer vigil with a Eucharistic celebration. The mass is scheduled to get underway at about 7:00 p.m. in Saint Enfant Jésus church. Father Jean-René, vicar at Saint-Angèle parish in Montreal-Nord will be our celebrant. All are welcomed.

Afterwards, depending on circumstances, we may do a procession into the park. This will be followed by some fellowship back inside the church.

Else, Day 1 of the vigil is tomorrow and our presence in Lahaie park (across the street from the Morgentaler abortion mill, 30 Saint Joseph Blvd. east) will continue through to March 24.

All are welcomed to join us in prayer.

Heavenly Father,

We pray that the scourge of abortion be lifted from our land,

That those who promote it may be brought to a change of heart, 

That all who are tempted to abortion may be lovingly helped to protect the precious gift of life, and

That all who have experenced an abortion may be comforted with the healing gift of love.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord,

Amen

 This past Saturday, I was asked how the birth rate in Quebec compares to the abortion rate. After a little bit of research this is what I came up with.

Roughly speaking for every three births, there is one abortion.

Here are the sources:

• First, the figures for the number of births come from the statistical branch of the provincial government - Institut de la statistique du Québec, and may be viewed here . At this site, you'll find yearly figures for the number of births from 1900 through to and including 2011. Observe that over the past four years the figures have leveled off at about 88 000 from a low of 72 000 in 2000 and 2002.
• As for the abortion statistics, recent figures are not as readily available. I used the figure of 30 000 which comes to us from a study by a pro-abortion group Conseil du statut de la femme, released in 2008 and presenting figures from 2002 through and including 2006 (page 25). These figures vary between 28 500 and 29 900. I rounded them up to 30 000 in order to account for the chemical abortions - i.e., the morning-after pill and other abortifacients.

February 8, 2013

Dear Friends of Life,

Get ready! We are about to begin the single, most effective way to end abortion: the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil.

On Ash Wednesday, February 13th, the Quebec Life Coalition will be starting its ninth vigil. Inaugurated here in Montreal back in the spring of 2009, after having gone nationwide in the United States two years earlier, we have consistently ran two vigils per year - one during the Lenten period of February and March, and the other in fall, usually spanning the month of October.

2013 is no different. On February 13th, we will be joining 260 other locations worldwide in this effort to end the scourge of abortion. The bulk of these may be found in our neighbour to the south of us – 225. As for our more proximate neighbours – i.e., the other Canadian provinces, there are seven vigils occurring simultaneously – two each in British Columbia (Victoria, Terrace) and Ontario (Guelph and Oakville) and three in Alberta (Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer).

As for our neighbours further afield, there are the familiar ones – Australia, England and Spain, and some not so familiar ones – Nigeria, Russia, and Wales. Here’s a further breakdown:  Australia (7), England (9), Spain (4), and 1 in each Ireland, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, South Africa, and Wales.

An interesting footnote to this total of 261 vigil locations occurred some two weeks ago. One of the vigil teams needed to drop out for a surprising and good reason. The abortion facility at which it was planning to pray folded. Yes, employees were seen carting boxes and materials into a dumpster.

So, you see how effective prayer and fasting can be; we have yet to start and an abortion facility has already closed!

Also, statistics show how this kind of vigil can be the most effective means to ending abortion. Since this prayer vigil movement first began in College Station, Texas, in 2004, and spread across the United States and internationally, a slew of numbers show its effectiveness:

• Over 6700 lives have been saved from abortion;
• 75 abortion workers have experienced a conversion and left their jobs; and
• 25 abortion facilities have closed.

Here in Montreal, we are beginning to see the effects of our prayers as well. Our core team – i.e., persons who register online, has grown. The number of vigilers coming to the site to pray grows; I estimate a figure of 160 this past fall. And most importantly two Montreal mothers have elected to forego an abortion and give life to their child. Can there be any better sign that this?

Ash Wednesday, February 13th marks the beginning of the Lenten period, a time of year known for preparation, atonement. Christians around the world will begin to prepare themselves for the arrival of the holiest time of year – the Easter Tridium marked by the death and the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Can I count on you to join us - through acts of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, self-denial, to remember the unborn and their mothers and fathers?

God alone can change hearts. God alone can end the scourge of abortion. Yet God needs our hands, feet, and voices to get his message of hope and mercy known.

Please join us this Lent, in prayer – whether in your homes, at your churches, or in Lahaie park, to make God’s message of hope and mercy.

Yours Respectfully,

Brian A. Jenkins

Outreach Coordinator

Quebec Life Coalition

P. S. In previous letters, I wrote to you about one of our faithful vigilers Maria and her pregnancy. Mother and child are progressing well, despite, the nausea that mother continues to experience. Again, your prayers are welcomed.

Whether in the United States, Canada, or elsewhere, abortions harm women. The following statement is from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued today, regarding the death of a young woman during a late-term abortion at the Germantown, Md., clinic of LeRoy Carhart.

"It has happened again. Another mother has been killed by so-called 'safe and legal' abortion. It happens constantly, in fact, but the abortion industry usually succeeds in covering it up. And even when they don't, the rest of us succeed in keeping it relatively quiet. That has to change today."

"Late-term abortionist LeRoy Carhart began an abortion procedure a few days ago on a woman who was about 33 weeks pregnant. These abortions are legal, and he performs them at his killing center in Germantown, MD. Yesterday, she developed complications. The abortionist could not be reached. She was taken to the emergency room by private vehicle, and she died.

"Three things need to happen here. First, the state of Maryland has to shut down Carhart's killing business. Second, every person who cares about this needs to spread the word immediately about this tragedy, to awaken the consciences of our neighbors. This includes pastors speaking out about the harm abortion does, and it includes all of us telling the stories of those harmed and killed by abortion.

"Third, we need to redouble our efforts to mobilize people in the pro-life cause. If this latest tragedy isn't enough evidence that the time to end abortion is now, then what is?"

"No longer will we allow these women to remain unknown to the American public," Father Pavone said. "The silence ends today."

For more on this topic, click press conference to view a video produced by the Maryland Coalition for Life.

In yesterday's National Post, Jonathan Kay writes an excellent piece entitled "Some Questions for Carolyn Bennett."

A few of the merits I found are the following:

• Clear - his response to Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett's charge about the sparsity of late-term abortions is great;
• Knowledgable - he presents a breadth of information spanning not only abortion practices in Canada but also in other countries as well; and
• Authoritative - he cites several professional thinkers.

Enjoy!

A fortnight ago, Quebec's junior health minister Véronique Hivon announced that the provincial government is moving ahead with legislation aimed at permitting “dying with dignity.”

In the ensuing days, reaction was swift, both for and against this physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia bill that the government wishes to have in place before the summer break.

The following is a collection of articles and opinion appearing In Montreal's The Gazette - a daily publication, offering both a summary and links to each, where possible.

January 16: “End-of-life rules to be set out in new law,” Kevin Dougherty, A2.

This article treats the legislative and judiciary angles to Quebec’s proposed legislation for assisted suicide. After citing previous Canadian cases, the article presents the provincial government’s goal, based on a recently released study indicating what course to go. Also discussed is how the federal criminal code will be circumvented to permit.

Jan 16: “Not everyone agrees with panel’s controversial findings,” Katherine Wilton, A2.

The author presents several perspectives on physician-assisted suicide. First she summarizes the context as set by the provincial government for pursuing physician-assisted suicide program. From here she moves to treat the importance expanding palliative care services. A first physician is quoted acknowledging that the patient and no one else ought to decide. Next, a legal point is made about proper wording the legislation as not euthanasia nor assisted suicide but “dying with dignity.” Finally, a second palliative doctor is claimed to be an advocate as siding with euthanasia.

Jan 17: “Physician-assisted death will have tight rules,” Katherine Wilton, A8.

This article considers who the clients will be that benefit from the proposed legislation on physician-assisted suicide. It begins by citing a case in Oregon where the patient, a physician makes the decision for physician-assisted suicide. A second case concerns two Belgian twins who opted for death upon learning that they are going blind. Finally, the article ends by profiling the rules in the Quebec proposed legislation.

Jan 17: “A choice the terminally ill should be able to make,” The Gazette’s View, A18.

The Gazette’s editorial board describes as «sensible» the plans of the Quebec government to permit “people with debilitating terminal maladies the right to choose when and how to die.” The editorial rests its case on the report by a panel of “eminent legal experts” Furthermore, it claims that this course of action is endorsed by Quebecers, both in general and the professional ranks.

Jan 18: “A creeping culture of death,” Sherif Emil MD, Opinion, A15.

In this opinion piece, pediatric surgeon, Dr. Emil argues against the provincial government’s plan to enact legislation permitting physician-assisted suicide. The crux of his argument rests on his several decade experience of practicing in Quebec – from a student to working in the Montreal Children’s Hospital. In this period he has seen a degradation of the provincial health care network and that placing the patient in the position to decide his own fate is unfair particularly as it applies to children. Additional comments are made about the adverse moral stance of physicians and the ill-begotten Belgian model on which the Quebec one is based.

Jan 19: “Your Views” presents five letters with varying opinions on the proposed legislative course of the provincial government.

• William Raillant-Clark (re jan18)

Addressing the Emil article, the writer argues that individual rights trump whatever state the health care network is performing at.

• Dr. J.C .Pecknold… loss of dignity, intrinsic value of human life (re jan17)

The writer, a physician, argues against the proposed legislation as it would place members of his profession in an unethical position. Other comments about the importance of palliative care and the intrinsic value of human life are made.

• Robert Marcogliese (re jan17)

The author focuses on semantics, stating that “assisted-suicide” in not the same as “dying with dignity.”

• Shalom Spira (re jan17)

Mr. Spira questions under what authority can the government proceed with its stated course of action.

• Helene Bolduc, President, Association Quebecoise pour le droit de mourir dans la dignite (re jan15)

Ms. Bolduc takes up the individual rights argument in end-of-life matters. Further, she appears to wish to enlarge the scope of who could avail of the proposed legislaltion.

Jan 22: “No role for palliative care in euthanasia,” Dr. Manuel Borod, A16.

Addressing the article written by Mr. Dougherty (Jan16), Dr. Borod writes so as to clarify points that are confusing, misleading, and false. First, he states that the only new matter in the proposed legislation is the “right to have medical assistance in dying.” Second he notes that the end of palliative sedation is not the death of the patient as the article states but care that not “necessarily hastens death.” Finally, he states as Director of the division of Supportive and Palliative Care that the current objective “that all our patients die with dignity” and that the proposed legislation is a smokescreen for allowing “an act that directly causes death.”

Jan 23: “Euthanasia would be better than how my mother died,” Dianne Laheurte, Opinion, A17.

Dianne Laheurte writes in favour of euthanasia. She describes the death of her mother over a four year period, one characterized by gradual deterioration and adverse emotional impact on her and both of her parents.

Commentary

I find Mr. Spina’s observation interesting - what authority does the provincial government have to proceed with this legislative initiative. For example, the briefs presented at the “Dying with Dignity” provincial tour overwhelming favoured a course toward improved palliative care to the exclusion of both euthanasia or assisted suicide, many of whom were from the medical profession.

On the topic of dignity, it seems that dignity already exists in the care for those who are terminally ill. Drs. Emil and Borod write about this and both are well placed to know.

Also, it seems that if life lacks a certain quality about it, then it is not worth living. Hence individuals do want to be hindered in ending their lives.

Rapper Omekongo Dibinga wrote and performed the following video to draw attention to the deadly fate awaiting many young girls.

The clip includes candid footage. Saggering figures are given and a mother relates how she has killed her own daughters and where she burried them.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/DHE_3vRkpwk

Though the video focuses upon events in India and China, the destruction of young girls in their mother's wombs and shortly after birth is happening elsewhere.

A CBC report indicating that in utero girls are aborted right here in Canada prompted Conservative MP Mark Warawa (Langley) to present the following motion this past September 27, 2012 in the House of Commons: M-408: "That the House condemn discrimination against females occurring through sex-selective pregnancy termination."

Support for Motion 408 may be found here, including a petition you can sign and download in order to get others on board.

Under the guise of promoting our rights and freedoms, the Barreau du Québec is endorsing the culture of death.

The video by the body responsible for overseeing professional legal practice in the province - Le Barreau du Québec, shows a young woman upset with the positive results of a pregnancy test. The words "abortion rights" appear at the end of the segment.

Later on in the thirty second clip destined for television audiences, the video shows a bedroom setting in which an elderly weakened man and his family grieving over his diminishing health. The caption "dying with dignity" fades in.

As an astute commentator wondered whether (and how many of) the Barreau's membership was consulted about the views aired in this add.