As pro-life, pro-family advocates, too often we have a tendency to engage in hand-wringing over the lamentable social, moral, ethical and spiritual state of Canadian society. The avalanche of negative – and downright evil – developments has the potential to leave even the most committed and hardy soul downcast, discouraged and – worst of all – prone to inaction on a range of important issues.

However, there are two current opportunities for Canadians to participate in actions that can have a great impact on life-related matters. And it is important that they respond.

First, as many are aware, critical discussions are in progress over the federal government’s proposed legislation on reproductive technologies – including the ominous aspects of experimentation on embryos and stem-cell extraction. Fortunately, hearings on the legislation have recessed for the summer, giving pro-life advocates a window of time to gather their forces and let legislators know that they oppose the non-life affirming aspects of proposed regulations.

The importance of action on this issue cannot be understated. Canadian society has the real potential of moving to a point where experimentation on human beings – while painted as being “for the benefit of humanity” – will become commonplace. This has overtures of the corruption of past barbaric civilizations, such as Nazi Germany, against whom many of our forefathers and mothers fought and died so that the evil philosophies of our opponents would not become ours.

So, take a moment and pick up a pen or get in front of your word processor. Address a letter to your local member of Parliament, as well as federal Minister of Health Anne McLellan, and let them know that human life is not to be tampered with. Urge them to oppose the aspects of reproductive technology legislation that allow experimentation on already-conceived human beings, or the extraction of stem cells, which results in the death of an embryo.

You can address a letter to your MP or McLellan, free of charge, at the House of Commons, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0A6. For telephone, e-mail and other contact information, go to website www.canada.gc.ca and click on “Government Contacts” in the left-hand column.

The other thing you can do is set aside an hour of your time this coming Oct. 6 and recruit your family, friends, fellow churchgoers and clergy to participate in a vital, silent, prayerful witness for life on the streets of our nation. The LifeChain attracts tens of thousands of people every year and you should be one of them.

We’re reminded that Jesus asked the disciples who fell asleep on Him, “Had you not the strength to keep awake one hour?” (Mark 14:38). Similarly, can we not give watch for just one hour of our time to the cause of our precious, unborn children and their mothers?

For more information on LifeChain in your area, contact your local pro-life office, or call Campaign Life Coalition at (416) 204-9749 and 1-800-730-5358.