The turning of the calendar page at the end of the year is often a time for reflection on things past, and hopes for what is to come. It's a hopeful time for many. Despite whatever setbacks and failings might have occurred over the last 12 months, we have a clean slate of sorts, a tabula rasa on which to set about [...]
Two anniversaries that occurred in late January provided ample cause for pro-lifers to reflect on where we sit in the battle to protect unborn children. The 25th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision in the United States, and the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Supreme Court's overturning of the former abortion law, have produced a tremendous amount of commentary in the [...]
With news of health care restructuring and hospital mergers foremost in the thinking of many provincial governments, it is high time for a closer examination of the whole issue of conscience legislation. At present, health care workers who have moral or religious objections to procedures such as abortion, medical experimentation or treatment withdrawal, have little recourse in law. Several groups, including Campaign [...]
U.S. President Bill Clinton, who broke new ground in “style over substance” politics, has again vetoed a ban on the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure. The president attempted to obscure his motives by suggesting that partial-birth abortion is needed in “... the small number of compelling cases where use of this procedure is necessary to avoid serious health consequences.” Although the possibility exists [...]
It is difficult to comprehend the alarm bells and hand-wringing with which some quarters greeted news of the massive Promise Keepers rally in Washington, D.C. For those unfamiliar with Promise Keepers, it is basically a movement for men to make a renewed commitment to their wives, their children and their families. Promise Keepers pledge to love and honor their wives and to [...]
There is very little a humble editorial writer could say that would do real justice to the life and work of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. To suggest that this champion of the poor and unwanted influenced so many people in a positive way would only scratch the surface of her remarkable achievement. Her death on September 5 has taken from this world [...]
In an issue dominated with passings, we must give some tribute to pro-life activist Maurice Lewis, who died September 5, the same day as his greatest inspiration Mother Teresa. It would probably embarrass Lewis to be mentioned in the same breath as the great champion of the poor, but circumstances, and a strong commitment to the unborn, have created such a link. [...]
What began as a single letter questioning the tactics of a pro-life activist has developed into something larger. That activist Linda Gibbons sits week after week in a jail cell should be no surprise to regular readers of The Interim. Linda's activities in defence of unborn children, and her willful defiance of an Ontario injunction restricting pro-life witnessing in the province, have [...]
Should The Interim take an editorial stand on the toplessness question? A seemingly trivial subject has generated a great deal of attention, particularly as the summer weather hits with a vengeance. Everywhere it seems, Ontario newspapers are beating the bushes for stories involving topless women and the public's reaction to this newfound expression of "equality." But what might appear a little inane [...]
Two news events, initially unrelated, send a disquieting message to those concerned with the diminished respect for human life in this country. In Quebec, a woman found guilty of killing her autistic son is given a 23-month suspended sentence, despite the Crown's insistence that a three-year sentence be served. Admittedly there were difficult circumstances which led to the woman's action, and it [...]
Pro-life supporters sometimes have a difficult time putting a positive face on what appears to be a steady diet of distressing news. A case in point is the recent federal election which saw the Chrétien Liberals returned to power for at least four more years of middle-of-the-road opportunism. Although the significance of a reduced majority won’t be lost on the government, there [...]
Many of the delegates to the recent Second Pan-American Conference on Family and Education were struck not only by the quality of speakers and the information presented, but by the number of babies frolicking in the plenary halls and workshop rooms. This after all was a celebration of family life, and the presence of the little ones was a visual reminder of [...]
The emergence of Pat Buchanan in this year’s U.S. Republican Party Leadership race has a special significance for pro-lifers. By the sheer force of his views, Buchanan has brought the abortion issue front and centre. Described as a rogue Republican, Buchanan is considered by some a serious threat to party unity. His success in the early primaries has befuddled many political observers, [...]
“It is time for the government of British Columbia to … stop trying to limit peaceful picketing outside abortion clinics.” Globe and Mail editorial, January 26, 1996 We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Now if only Ontario’s attorney general Charles Harnick would apply the same principle to the current injunctions banning pro-life picketing in his province. When Judge E.J. Cronin decided [...]
As this paper goes to press, 40,000 of the most powerful and angry women from all around the world will gather in Beijing to rant and rave about their unjust plight. There will also be a pro-family contingent but don’t expect the press to acknowledge their presence. All rational people (men included) support the just and equal treatment of women. Holding a [...]