In early October the headlines of many press stories proudly proclaimed that in 1992, 100,497 abortions were performed in Canada.  Statistics Canada had just released its latest numbers on the industry: 275 babies are killed every day; 12 are killed every hour.  For every four babies born alive in this country, one is aborted.

Perhaps a visitor from another planet might have guessed that a long sought after goal had finally been reached.

But the sad facts are very clear to anyone who removes his blinkers, even for a moment.  In 1994, a mere twenty-five years after abortion was first legalized in Canada, the anti-life mentality has taken root and Canadians have, for the most part, obediently fallen in line and paid for the extermination of over 100,000 of their fellow citizens.

Moreover, our government proudly publishes these figures without a second thought.  Even Nazi Germany concealed figures on how many people they exterminated each year.  Unlike the Canadian government, Hitler felt that his Third Reich could not withstand such bad publicity.

Now Justice Minister Allan Rock talks about pushing ahead with plans to change the laws on euthanasia and assisted suicide.  Rock is determined to debate this issue despite widespread disagreement within his own cabinet.  Surprisingly, his comments came in a press release just weeks after delegates to the annual convention of the Canadian Medical Association had voted against doctor-assisted suicide.

To this unsettling atmosphere, society reacts with a giant yawn.  After all, yesterday’s stock market figures or last Sunday’s football scores are much more interesting and meaningful.

As predicted years ago by leaders in the pro-life movement, what we are witnessing today in Canadian society is that fast slide down a grisly slope, from abortion to euthanasia.  Can things change?  Can this brutality be stopped?  Can society undergo a transformation and recognize its indifferent and selfish attitude towards our weak, innocent and vulnerable neighbours?

Certainly, prevailing attitudes will not change overnight.  Priorities within the pro-life movement must shift to an emphasis on prayer and action.  Pro-lifers of different faiths and political loyalties must forget their differences and work together.  Then, we believe, attitudes will change within pro-life ranks and a unified message will be delivered to all people of good faith.

Only when the masses rearrange their priorities and place God and their families before their careers and allegiance to political agendas, will Canada return to sanity and reject killing as a solution to social, economic and demographic difficulties.