As the year 1998 begins, it’s good to look back over the year 1997 to see what was accomplished and what happened in the pro-life, pro-family community in North America and the world.
While people are starting to realize what abortion is and are beginning to speak out against it, many are showing support for assisted suicide.
A fence-sitting Liberal government was re-elected in the June elections, but the Reform party became the Official Opposition. Some have expressed optimism that Reform as opposition will bring greater urgency to pro-life issues.
On a happy note, there were many successful pro-life rallies and conferences, showing the continuing support and confidence that the pro-life community now enjoys.
One event was the national conference of Campaign Life Coalition and Alliance for Life, which took place in Charlottetown, PEI, June 26-28. During the conference, former MP Roseanne Skoke was presented the Joseph P. Borowski award for her commitment to the pro-life community.
Other notable events such as Life Chain ’97, were also successful with thousands of people participating across the country. Around the world, pro-lifers in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand took part as well.
Another highlight for the pro-life community in 1997 was the Show the Truth rallies, where many came together outside hospitals and abortion mills to display the graphic truth about abortion. While police and a small fraction of the general public complained about the tours, they were highly successful in achieving their ends.
Another positive development in 1997 was the increased number of young people getting involved in pro-life work. This boost by youth shows that not all generation Xers are into the mistruths of the secular world.
The National Campus Life Network (NCLN) met in January to discuss ways of getting the pro-life message onto the campus. Vanya Gobbi was elected coordinating director. AT the meeting it was decided that the NCLN bulletin would be produced three times a year to keep members across Canada informed and updated.
In February, the annual Skate for Life took place in Ottawa. A group of 125 students went to Ottawa to let the government know that not all youth were for the culture of death. Mild weather played havoc wtih skaing on the Rideau Canal, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the young participants.
The pro-life community suffered a tredendous blow with the September passing of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Mother Teresa was a pre-eminent pro-lifer who not only spoke out against abortion, but dedicated her life to imporving the quality of life for thousands. When meeting world leaders, she would let her views on abortion be heard, especially in the United States on partail-birth abortion.
“I’m tempted to say her death is a great loss for the pro-life movement,” said Jim Hughes, national president of Campaign Life Coalition, but her powerful influence on behalf of pre-born babies will only increase now that she’s in heaven.”
Mother Teresa’s influence in promoting respect for life, family and sexuality cannot be underestimated. What was surprising however, was how the secular media downplayed her contributions and seized on her pro-life views as a cause of criticism.
Pro-life violence” was again in the news with the November shooting of abortionist Jack Fainman in Winnipeg. Many abortion supporters and media commentators pointed the finger at pro-life groups, but as usual, no evidence of pro-life involvement was found.
Police have since established a task force to coordinate investigation of three shootings of abortionists since 1994.
The case of Saskatchewan farmer Robert Latimer attracted wide attention throughout 1997 and into 1998. Latimer was found guilty for a second time in the killing of his disabled daughter Tracy. His lenient sentence, announced December 1, coupled with his portrayal as a compassionate family man, continued to confound pro-life and disabled rights groups.
Whatever Latimer’s motivation, one cannot escape the stark reality that the murder of a disabled person is now being treated differently than that of the able-bodied. It is not mere rhetoric when disabled Canadians, including activist Mark Pickup of Alberta, speak of a certain chill in the air.
The Saskatchewan court is seeking leave to appeal the sentence. Meanwhile, the disabled, and all pro-life, pro-family Canadians are eager to see where this case winds up.
Across the country, many Campaign Life Coalition leaders are looking forward to 1998. Many anticipate more people will become aware of what is happening, and will join the pro-life movement.
Many see a slow turn in favor of the pro-life position, especially as the lies and distortions of the pro-abortion camp are brought to greater light. As Anna Halpine, president of CLC New Brunswick said, We must not forget we have God on our side.”
