NATIONAL PRO-LIFE CONFERENCE 24-26 OCTOBER 2013
Held at the Rodd Royalty Conference Hotel, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Lighting the Way – Securing the future for all human life
The National Pro-Life Conference was a joint undertaking of LifeCanada and Prince
Edward Island (PEI) Right to Life Society. The organizers were looking to take
inspiration from the fact that the conference was being held on Prince Edward Island
which is the only province in Canada where abortion is not allowed. Prince Edward
Island is often referred to as a Life Sanctuary.
The welcoming flavour of the conference began when delegates were met at the airport
by members of the Knights of Columbus and escorted to the Rodd Royalty Conference
Hotel. It was fitting that one of these gentleman won the Priests for Life Canada draw
of a statue of our blessed Mother Mary with the Child Jesus. During the conference a
unique initiative to raise funds for MaterCare International (MCI) www.matercare.org
was a silent auction of 37 donated quilts. MCI is an international group of health care
providers dedicated to improving the lives of Mothers and babies in Africa. Dr. Robert
Walley founder and director of MCI was a speaker at the conference and was therefore
present to accept the funds from the quilt action.
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Dr. Debra Zeni MD (MD, specializes in Obstetrics and Pediatrics) and is a Senior
Researcher at the deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research. Dr Zeni spoke
about Women’s Health after Abortion Dr. Zeni opened her talk by speaking of our
compassionate God and how He wishes that His children would be a loving people
who would tenderly embrace each other, including babies not yet born. Dr. Zeni told
the audience that in her first pregnancy she was one of at least 50% of women who are
coerced to abort their babies. Dr. Zeni recounted how colleagues strongly urged her
to 'terminate' her first pregnancy because she was just beginning a very demanding
career. Dr. Zeni and her husband could not be more proud of their well loved son who is
now in his thirties.
Dr. Zeni cited science based studies that reveal serious physical and psychological
problems that require medical intervention following induced abortion. Physical
complications: surgery to control hemorrhage, perforated uterus, future ectopic
pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, still births, spontaneous abortions
(miscarriage) and premature low birth weight babies. There is also the problem of
an exceptionally high incidence of breast cancer for these women. Psychosocial
harm: a 6% increase of admissions to mental health facilities with a significant risk
in suicidal ideation, depersonalization, isolation, victimization, addictive behaviours
and promiscuity. Dr. Zeni spoke of the many times she treats post abortive women
who present with these issues, many of which are attributed to unhealed abortion(s).
She spoke of the necessity for these women to firstly forgive themselves, to forgive
others who encouraged or forced their abortion(s) and their need to find genuine love.
Dr. Zenis' presentation although filled with ghastly news was delivered with love and
compassion for the victims of abortion.
Note: In Canada one in three women have experienced abortion. Last reported numbers
of surgical abortions (2010) is 100,000. Chemical abortions brought about by the
morning after pill, or plan B are unknown.
Natalie Sonnen Executive Director of LifeCanada told CBC news, "I applaud PEI for
keeping it [elective abortion] off the Island; I hope PEI will take it a step further, and
stop funding out of province abortions too. Every provincial government in Canada can
spend their money the way they choose with regard to healthcare and if they don't fund
abortions, that is their prerogative." Natalie spoke on the work done by LifeCanada
the national educational arm of the Canadian pro-life movement. LifeCanada hosts
several web sites that support major educational campaigns. www.lifecanada.org
www.adoptionincanada.ca and www.abortionincanada.ca. In conjunction with the
adoption awareness campaign, LifeCanada published a widely used resource, the Plan
A Guide (A for adoption) an adoption resource for women with unplanned pregnancies.
LifeCanada produces an educational journal featuring prolife news and investigative
opinions. An important feature of the work done by LifeCanada is the annual national
polls. The polls are especially used by politicians who table pro-life bills and motions.
The most recent poll on euthanasia showed a significant shift in thinking amongst
Quebecers when an educative component was provided in each question.
Dr. Robert Walley, MD and Obstetrician is the founder of MaterCare International. Dr
Walley reminded us that every woman who becomes pregnant is a Mother. He felt it
necessary to state this because at the UN the word Mother is no longer a word that is
used when talking about women and their children. This is so because UN beaurocrats
have decided that the word Mother raises emotional overtones. Dr. Walley spoke of
the giants in the field of medicine who were saddened on how their medical research
and development have been misused. It is no secret that in most countries ultra sound
technology is the cause of female babies being aborted, just because they are female.
Unborn babies are likewise terminated if an amniocenteses shows that the baby in
not 'perfect.' Dr. Jérôme Lejeune identified the genetic reason for Down Syndrome and
tragically, this discovery has led to the death of millions of unborn babies. Then there is
the case of Sir William Lily who perfected amniocentesis took his own life when he saw
how it being used.
In 1969 Dr. Walley was banned from practicing medicine in Britain because he (and
many other doctors) would not perform abortions. Dr. Walley eventually went to Nigeria
where he saw that 91% of babies and many mothers died from obstetrical problems
that he knew could easily be remedied. Following a chance audience with Pope John
Paul ll, Dr. Walley was inspired to found Matercare which is an organization of health
professionals dedicated to the care of Mothers and babies. MCI follows four pillars
- Advocacy, Research, Training and Service to reduce maternal mortality, morbidity,
and abortion in Africa. Matercare’s mission is to serve the Culture of Life where it
is most at risk - in those areas where mothers and their children are neglected or
abandoned outright. Dr. Walley and the African people themselves are angry with
what is happening in rich counties where families, marriages and lives are destroyed
and now there is a wave by the rich countries to do the same in countries like Africa.
Many Africans are livid with Bill Gates and supposed women’ s rights groups who come
into Africa advocating the value of using condoms and aborting children. Dr. Walley
reminded the conference that the Government of Canada provides funds to agencies
that support efforts to 'eliminate the dignity of Motherhood.'
Dana Rosemary Scallon is an Irish singer and former member of the European
Parliament. Dana works tirelessly for peace, Christian family values, and respect for all
life. She was the first woman to be awarded the highly prestigious St. Benedict Award
for her outstanding work in defending Family and Life. She is heartbroken that Ireland
has legalized abortion. Dana sang and entertained at the banquet as she told of us her
journey to protect all life.
KC McLean, National Administrator for Canadian Physicians for Life and Pearl Palmer,
Executive Director of Parent Find in PEI did a joint presentation for a very good reason.
KC was the child that Pearl released to adoption when she became pregnant as a high
school student in PEI at age 16. Pearl stood strong against coercion efforts to abort her
baby but did agree to adoption. In 2011, KC and Pearl were re united within 48 hours
of KCs' on line search to find her birth mother. KC described her adoptive family as
a beautiful family who loves and cherishes her. KC is now very pleased that she and
Pearl are forming a mother daughter relationship.
Andrea Mrozek is the Executive Director of the Institute of Marriage and Family. She
presented a very thought provoking talk on how abortion is destroying marriages,
families and is having a negative impact on society in general. Highlights from Andrea's
talk:
- Abortion leads to the demise of marriage.
- About 1% of women who had an abortion eventually married the father of
that baby.
- Communication is more difficult after an abortion, and sexual intimacy is
strained.
- Abortion causes both men and women to devalue sex.
- Andrea has much more information at www.infocanada.org.
Alissa Golob is the youth co-coordinator for Campaign Life Coalition. Alissa described
post secondary campuses as "hot beds for anti-choice citizens" and she spoke of the
on-campus energy that exists to support "the poor beleaguered pro-choice students."
Alissa reported that in Ontario the provincial government has de funded many essential
services while spending $30,000,000-$50.000.000 on elective abortion annually.
Rebecca Richmond is the Executive Director of the National Campus Life Network.
She considers all current youth as survivors because they were permitted to be born
at a time when they could have been aborted, no reason required. Rebecca lamented
that many people of her age speak freely about siblings they do not know because
they were aborted. Rebecca told the 'senior' members at the conference that in the
spiritual battle to end abortion they are very much needed and that young and old need
to support each other in differing strategies. Rebecca pleaded with the older members
in the audience to not be so fast in 'passing the torch'. Alissa and Rebecca organized a
youth conference in conjunction with about 50 high school and university age students
in attendance.
Peter Ryan is the Executive Director of New Brunswick Right to Life. Peter is a founding
member and past president of LifeCanada. He focused his talk on the existing push to
legalize euthanasia in Canada. He told us not to be fooled into thinking that Canada
as a nation will avoid legalizing euthanasia once one province wins the right. Peter
said, "Be aware that what happens in Quebec will happen in the rest of Canada."
Results of a Quebec poll commissioned by LifeCanada on euthanasia were released
on the final day of the conference. Peter was delighted to report from the poll that a
significant change in thinking (40%) amongst Quebecers took place once they realized
that Bill 52 and its euphemism about 'medical aid in dying' is really all about euthanasia.
Peter reminded all to pray, pray, pray that no law would ever be passed to legalize any
form or killing.
Alex Schadenburg is the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition.
Alex spoke of the euthanasia situation in Belgium where doctor endorsed deaths are
occurring without explicit requests from patients or their families. Alex reported that in
2011 of 208 assisted suicides, 66 of these deaths were done without request. He also
spoke of a survey on euthanasia practices where of the 40% of nurses who responded,
35% of them reported euthanizing patients in their care without patient or family
consent and without a medical order. Alex reminded the audience that Quebec Bill 52 is
modeled on the Belgium euthanasia law.
Mike Schouten is the Executive director of We Need a Law campaign.
www.weneedalaw.ca and a featured speaker at the conference. We Need a Law
is leading a push to assemble a Canadian abortion law that would protect unborn
babies 'to the greatest extent possible.’ Mike said, "Of course we support the protection
of life from fertilization onwards but since no unborn babies are protected under
Canadian law now, we have to start somewhere."
Schouten acknowledges his opinions are unpopular by some pro-life workers. He
thanked Catholic Church leaders for their support of the We Need a Law Campaign.
Mike believes that once we have a law that would protect babies under some conditions
then it will be possible to move public opinion step by step until a time when Canadians
will move out of the complete darkness where we currently find ourselves. "The law
does teach us…We can never underestimate where the Canadian people are going to
go as far as their opinions on abortion” he said.
Stephen Woodworth is the Federal MP for Kitchener Centre in Ontario. He said “The
denial of human equality is the greatest threat to democracy in Canada today... [and
that] every human being should have equal worth and dignity.” Although his recent
Private Member Motion that would have struck a committee to study when human life
begins was defeated in the House of Commons, he says another motion will be coming
soon. Stephen said that pro-life MPs understand the frustration often felt by people
like ‘you’ who commit so much of your energy and resources to fight for the rights of all
human beings. He informed the audience that many good MPs are working to develop a
law and asked us to keep these brave men and women in prayer.
Mother Teresa Award – Marilyn Bergeron A definite highlight for the members of
Pro-Life Cornwall Pro-Vie group from Ontario was the fact that their own Marilyn
Bergeron was the 2013 recipient of the LifeCanada Mother Teresa Award. This award is
presented to a deserving person in recognition of their outstanding contribution to pro-
life work. Marilyn’s long standing and exceptional work was recognized as Lisa Smith,
president of LifeCanada presented Marilyn with the award. Heartfelt congratulations are
extended to Marilyn and her family.