VOL. 10 NO. 1 March 2007 Human rights challenges grow Churches urged to remain vigilant

The League recently noted several human rights challenges that are about tax status loss accelerating the trend to marginalize the expression of religious beliefs. In There have been indications for several years that faith groups in Canada January, BC Human Rights Tribunal announced a settlement directing could expect to come under new scrutiny when their teachings, notably city councilor John Di Cicco to pay $1,000 to a homosexual on same sex “marriage” or women’s rights, conflict with the law. League couple for comments he made about homosexual conduct. members first heard of this scrutiny in 2004 when we reported that Catholic and evangelical officials had been reminded by Revenue The pair, John Olynick and Greg Koll, filed a complaint with the Tribunal Canada to limit statements with political overtones, especially during which was accepted and was to go to the hearing stage. The settlement election campaigns. allowed Mr. DiCicco to avoid a Human Rights Tribunal hearing. The city will pay his legal fees, according to a report by Kamloops Daily News. More recently, a prominent Canadian public intellectual has set off alarm bells for suggesting the and other religions that don’t "In essence, in order to avoid further costs of a hearing, Mr. DiCicco has comply with so-called Canadian values should lose their charitable tax agreed to pay fees for making statements in a public forum that are status. reflective of the Church's teaching, which states that homosexual activities are "intrinsically disordered" said League President Phil Horgan. “This type The article appeared in the Fall 2006 edition of the Literary Review of of process exposes the serious challenges to freedom of expression and Canada by Janice Gross Stein, a political scientist who directs the freedom of religion that in all walks of life may face in response University of Toronto’s Munk Centre for International Affairs. A version of to comments based on deeply held religious belief. We can expect to see the article also appeared in the Winter edition of University of Toronto more challenges of this kind as the impact of same sex "marriage" Magazine. continues to play out in daily life, in areas such as governments, Entitled “Living Better Multiculturally,” and headlined “Whose schools and the workplace." values should prevail?” the essay raised a series of questions about multiculturalism and religious freedom, when There is also a disturbing trend in human rights religions have values that go against what Stein decisions on related subjects from this tribunal, such Mark your calendars: described as Canadian values or Charter values. as the BC Knights of Columbus hall rental case from last year, where the Knights were ordered to pay CCRL SPRING SOCIAL Focusing on equality for women, she wrote mostly fees for hurt feelings, despite having their rights Wednesday, June 6, 5 pm about her own Conservative Jewish synagogue and affirmed. We have also seen complaints against her efforts to change its traditional attitudes Bishop Fred Henry in Alberta, ultimately Charbonnel Lounge, towards women. She questioned whether religions withdrawn but only after great expense. University of St. Michael’s College, like her own should get charitable tax breaks. Toronto The League does not believe human rights “If religious institutions are able to raise funds more tribunals should be used to penalize the peaceable Reception with dinner to follow easily because governments give a tax benefit to expression of beliefs and opinions. We are also (Guest speaker to be those who contribute, are religious practices against concerned about the lopsided complaints process that confirmed) women a matter only for religious law, as is currently allows the aggrieved to file a complaint at little or no the case under Canadian law, which protects freedom of expense while the defendant may have to dig deep to religion, or should the values of the Charter and of human answer the complaint. rights commissions across Canada have some application when religious institutions are officially recognized and advantaged in We recognize that people need a process to address discrimination in fundraising?” she wrote. matters such as employment, housing and the provision of services. In “Does it matter that the Catholic Church, which has special entitlements fact, the ability to bring a complaint with little cost recognizes that given to it by the state and benefits from its charitable tax status, refuses complaints of genuine discrimination often involve an individual going up to ordain women as priests?” she asked. against a large company or organization. The League responded with a letter stating that such questions stem not However, it is also making it possible to penalize people for the expression from any real concerns about equality, but on the opposition of some faith of unpopular opinions, no matter that the same viewpoint was considered groups to certain aspects of the “liberal agenda.” Our letter also pointed mainstream until a decade ago and continues to be shared by a substantial out that in any loss of the Church’s charitable status, the real losers would Continued page 8 Continued page 5 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Thomas Langan, KSS President Emeritus

After reading the morning paper, one might begin to think that the struggles of the CCRL are really ludicrous: Here is China increasing its defense expenditure, Russia peddling arms all over the Middle East, Iran blithely moving towards atomic weapon capacity, and Africa remaining the stage of senseless massacres, while we deal in hurt feelings and defend the right to disapprove of homosexual behavior.

Though vast numbers of people on this planet cherish life, defend and promote it with passion, humanly induced H

7 death looms darker than ever over us all. Minor folly, jealousy and hatred, the distress that leads to suicide, a

C desire for power, safety and comfort unwittingly spread destruction on mankind at large. Given the present state of technology, this means an imminent danger of the total destruction of human life in this planet. Relative peace R

0 in our momentarily protected countries makes it difficult for us to face the horrid progression made in the last hundred years from tribal massacre to world wars to international terrorism. Before we become too smug, we A should consider soberly with what ease clashes between large nations, or more simply the frustration of peoples M 0 backed into a corner, could result in the use of nuclear weapons. Forty years ago, I was shown two reports commissioned by the US Government Arms Control Agency on the impact of a possible nuclear exchange between Russia and the USA. The optimistic one – by Rand - said people would probably survive in Patagonia.

2 The other said all human life would be extinguished on the planet. And much arms development has incurred in the last 40 years! Mankind can easily come to self-destruct while even informed individuals prefer to look away from this terrifying reality.

The struggle between civilizations that foster death and civilizations that foster life has always been with us, rooted as it is in mankind’s strange propensity to evil; but it is now more dangerous than ever, having become planetary. Never has it been so necessary to educate a next generation sufficiently disciplined and clear thinking to tackle this challenge. It will have to believe in the ability of the human mind to find truth, and have the courage to look reality in the eye, however disagreeable. And it must have acquired the wisdom and the courage to deal with that it sees, even at great cost to itself, however impossible it may seem. Whatever our fellow citizens may think, this implies faith – even if not in God, at least in truth and in people - the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and the guts to take sides when circumstances demand it. At bottom, it implies recognizing the presence of evil in and around us, seeing it as an illness of the will, and mustering our freedom to fight it.

The present tendency to silence the Church in Canada, to discourage it from taking stands on ethical or political issues, is but one of the dangerous moves made by our society to discourage such an education. It prefers breeding individualistic consumers, seeking the quickest path to success, loving to escape into virtual reality and preferring to let others go their merry way over seeking with them a better path to the common good, over acknowledging the presence of evil in ourselves and in them, and tackling this evil together. Not so strangely, such taught behavior breeds unexpectedly horrendous results. Well educated Christians with healthy hearts and minds are among the best hopes we have of navigating together the difficult planetary situation into which we are slipping. This, by the way, is the reason Churches have been granted tax exemptions by most states (see report, page one). Countries, especially democracies, need people driven by faith, hope and love to thrive.

So let us not look down on our activity as CCRL members. Clear thinking Christians, when responding to contem- porary situations, do have a formative impact: The confrontation between Telus and Archbishop Roussin (report, page 7) is a case in point. This has always been true. Bishop Von Galen even managed to stop Hitler in his tracks when he defended from the pulpit the right to life of the mentally handicapped. Of course, he ultimately paid for this with his life. The courage to face this eventuality is part of the education the Church has always hoped to impart, and what mankind needs from its members if it wishes to survive. So let the CCRL keep up its fight for the right of Christians to speak the truth and to teach the next generation to seek this Truth, choose the Good and fight for life with Love. There is no greater gift we can make to our society, and by extension to humanity at large.

2 REGIONAL ROUNDUP 1985 2005

www.ccrl.ca BC chapter combats schools’ agreement

The focus in BC continues to be the Corren Agreement. The agreement promises a curriculum Executive Officers revision to ensure “respect for diversity with respect to sexual orientation,” without defining that term, and purports to suppress parental authority to withdraw their children from classes that they find Chaplain morally objectionable or offensive. Most Rev. Adam Exner, O.M.I. Working with a number of similarly concerned groups, the League's focus has been on the attack on Archbishop Emeritus of parental authority to withdraw their children from objectionable classes. League Director Sean Murphy has written to all public school districts and received responses from half of them, President Emeritus representing about 70% of the province's public school student population. Six, representing over a Thomas Langan, KSS quarter of the students, and including the two largest districts in the province, have agreed to accommodate objecting parents. Confirmation that a seventh district has taken this position is President awaited. The League has now directly put to the Minister of Education the arguments that have Philip Horgan been made to the school districts. Visit the BC section of our website for frequent updates.

Vice President The League's efforts in this regard have twice made front page news in the Vancouver Sun, generating C. William French further media interest and resulting in broadcasts of one radio and two television interviews of Mr. Murphy, and participation of Executive Director Joanne McGarry in a forum on the subject on a Treasurer popular Vancouver radio talk show. Mr. Murphy was also interviewed for two hours by students from John Sidle Capilano College producing a documentary on the controversy surrounding the Corren agreement, though only a couple of minutes of the interview are likely to make the final cuts.

Director BC Teachers' Federation newsmagazine published an article by Murray Corren advising teachers to Frederick W. Hill, O.C. refuse to accommodate freedom of religion and conscience in the classroom. Mr. Murphy submitted a response of equal length, The Goose, the Gander and the Elephant (see also www.ccrl.ca, articles Regional Directors of interest), but the editor declined to publish it. The article was then e-mailed to the 76 presidents of BCTF locals, with the cautionary note that teachers following Corren's advice might find Western Region themselves the subjects of human rights complaints. Copies were also sent to all school districts and Sean Murphy to professional educational associations in the province. Edward De Vita

National Capital Region Windsor-Essex County Chapter update Richard Bastien The task of informing the Catholic community of our existence and encouraging new memberships Ontario Region continues as our top priority, and we are also increasing the number of action “initiatives” being C. William French undertaken by our chapter. John Shea One local pastor, homilizing on the need for Catholics to accompany faith with action, invited us to give a companion CCRL presentation at the end of his weekend Masses. The standing ovations Quebec Region received at each Mass were a clear signal of the frustration that many Catholics feel about the ever Nicholas Newman increasing assaults on our Lord, our faith, our sacred objects, and our right to practice our faith in Jean Morse-Chevrier conscience.

Maritime Region One of our first initiatives concerned a publication called “Upfront”, freely distributed in 120 Windsor C. Joe MacLellan area locations including our university and college facilities. An article, under the guise of satire, Patrick Hanlon included obscene descriptions of the Virgin Mary. “You know those crazy Catholics and their idolatry.” Alexander J. MacDonald is just one example of the article’s contemptuous . Attempts at personal contact failed, so our letter of objection outlined the offensive nature of the article and requested a published apology. We Executive Director and Editor also offered to provide the publisher with information on the doctrines and beliefs of the Catholic Joanne McGarry Church and the role of Mary in our faith.

301-46 St. Clair Ave. E.. Several months have gone by without a reply, but also without any further issues of the publication. Toronto, ON M4T 1M9 In the event of any further attacks by Upfront, our chapter has determined to take additional measures Tel: (416) 466-8244 including commercial action with the advertisers and outlets who might continue to support the Fax: (416) 466-0091 publication. [email protected] Two theatrical productions have caught our attention. Last year, our local Downtown Mission Civil Rights is the official newsletter of [supported in no small part by donations and services from Catholic parishes] decided to rent out its the Catholic Civil Rights League. theatre for a production entitled “The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged).” This play has For reprints or additional copies of this been staged in several Canadian cities over the last few years, and music and book are available from newsletter, please contact the League’s Amazon. It is self-described as “irreverent” and the colour promotional poster makes a Marx Brothers- Toronto office at (416) 466-8244. type mockery of scripture passage and events. Scenes from the official script include: Jesus’ miracles To join the Catholic Civil Rights League see membership form in Continued page 4 newsletter (pg. 7).

3 Continued from p. 3 Deadlock between Church depicted as charlatan magic tricks, the resurrection scene represented by an Easter Bunny walking onto the stage, and and State in Quebec other obscene references. We have met with the Mission manager to express our objection and to request that the Mission Things have come to a head in Quebec over the implementation in 2008 adopt a policy against booking productions such as this which of the new Ethics and Religious Culture program in all schools from are reasonably likely to offend on the basis of religious belief. Grades one to 10. Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, primate of the Church of Canada, has accused the Quebec Government of totalitar- The Grand Theatre in London booked a production titled “Bigger ianism in imposing religious content on school children without their than Jesus: The Play”. The web advertising states that Jesus has parents’ consent (Le Soleil, February 16, 2007). Jean-Pierre Proulx, inspired incalculable violence. The play is said to contain a parody including similarities to a Catholic Mass and a Last professor of Education at the University of Montreal and chairman of the Supper featuring tiny plastic dolls – everyone from Jesus working group on The Place of Religion at School from 1997 to 1999, has through the Tin Man, Darth Vader and George W. Bush. The roundly condemned the Cardinal for his judgment of the political process advertising alone certainly suggests a play which is offensive to which Proulx qualifies as democratic (Le Soleil February 26, 2007). Catholics. We have contacted Grand Theatre management to object to their judgment in permitting the booking of a play The Quebec Assembly of Catholic Bishops (QACB) expressed serious clearly designed to ridicule and offend our Saviour, and by reservations about the new program in the Spring of 2005 before it was extension Catholics and other Christians. passed into law, predicting that it would lead to confusion in the minds of young students. Cardinal Ouellet is asking that the new course become Because our local hospice has been a leader in Canadian optional and that parents maintain their choice of Catholic (or Protestant) palliative care, and always clearly opposed to active euthanasia, moral and religious teaching. He is also in favour of extending to other we were very concerned with the statement approved by the religious communities the right to a course in accordance with their Board of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association. The beliefs where the number of students warrants it. The QACB has since unstated agenda appeared to us to be an attempt to adopt a new expressed its opinion on the new program in response to an invitation by policy accepting of decisions to actively euthanize palliative care the Religious Affairs Committee at the request of the Minister of patients. We have now met with the Executive Director of our Education, Jean-Marc Fournier, in the fall of 2006. Other religious groups local hospice group, provided a formal written request that the were also invited to comment on the preliminary version of the program. local Board swiftly re-affirm its opposition to any form of active euthanasia, and take steps to have the statement withdrawn. According to the preliminary version that came out in September 2006, the program covers eight religious, spiritual or secular belief systems : We are currently filing objection with Virgin Mobile and , Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Native considering further commercial action over its cell phone spiritualities and secular visions. The Catholic Parents Association of promotion “Sin to Win”. Mobile phone users are encouraged to Quebec objects to the fact that Catholicism and Protestantism are not go out and sin, provide full details of their sin to Virgin Mobile as specifically identified in the new program. It states that it also omits key part of the contest, with the biggest sinner winning $666.00. elements of Christian belief such as the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity and Redemption. Parents consulted across Quebec by the parents’ association A number of current vaccines approved for government funding have asked the Government to maintain the principle of choice for and medical use were developed using material from aborted parents and to render the new program optional along with current fetuses. Ethically acceptable alternatively developed vaccines religious and moral education courses. The Catholic parents have also may often exist. (The Articles of Interest section of the League’s asked for changes to the program which they view as a smorgasboard of website includes several articles about these vaccines.) Our concepts and practices of a large variety of religions, sects and even chapter will contact and work with other groups to lobby for atheist philosophies, presented out of context and devoid of their full funding and distribution of ethically alternative vaccines, and to meaning. inform Catholics and others of their choices, and their ability to decline to support the murder of our embryonic innocents. However, almost all of the population of Quebec has not yet had access As television and radio programming originating in the United to the contents of the preliminary version of the program. The final States is a regular source of anti-Catholic activity, our chapter version is slated to be published in June 2007. has made contact with the Michigan chapter of the Catholic League, to encourage a dialogue between the organizations in Eighty percent of parents each year choose the option of Catholic moral developing strategies to deal with cross-border issues. and religious education for public primary school children in Quebec. Over 90% of private schools in Quebec are also Catholic. Respecting Many other Catholic organizations exist which also work hard parents’ rights and acting in a truly democratic manner would be, and well to deal with Catholic issues in our society, yet CCRL’s according to the Catholic Parents’ Association, to give parents an specialized ability to deal with media and the courts is being informed choice between the new program, traditional Catholic and recognized as an invaluable resource within the spectrum of Protestant teaching, the current non-religious moral program as well as Catholic faith ministries. We ask all CCRL members to keep us other denominational courses where numbers of students warrant them. in their prayers as our ministry continues to develop. In the Quebec City area, a petition is circulating requesting that parents Bob Baksi, be allowed to withdraw their children from the new mandatory program Chapter President and that the Government maintain the Catholic moral and religious program for public and private school children. A recent on-line poll carried out by TVA asked whether the Government of Quebec should To inquire about establishing a chapter, e-mail [email protected] maintain current religious and moral education for the Catholic majority as the Cardinal has asked. 71% of respondents agreed. or call Joanne at 416-466-8244. Visit www.ccrl.ca for information about current chapters. - League Director Jean Morse-Chevrier, President of the Catholic Parents’ Association of Quebec.

4 DEVELOPMENT UPDATE NEWS BRIEFS As reported elsewhere in this newsletter, the League has been very busy combating civil rights challenges in the workplace, schools and in public life, as well as supporting right to life issues. We hope to be able to do even more in the months ahead. We would partic- ularly like to develop a more effective way to provide assistance to ‘Right to die’ pressures grow Catholics who have been unjustifiably penalized in human rights challenges based on their peaceable expression of Catholic beliefs. In January we advised that the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association was circulating a discussion paper about euthanasia and In the next few weeks you will receive a special mailing from the assisted suicide. The League’s concern is that, without input from the League outlining these plans and providing you with an opportunity pro-life standpoint, the association could move from its current policy to help. In the meantime, please contact us with your suggestions for against euthanasia to adopt a neutral position on the matter. Indeed, it the League, or to request a guest speaker or a package of League could be argued that this has already occurred. This could be a first literature for Church or school events. step to more active support for the so-called mercy killing of terminally ill or disabled persons. Continued from p. 1 CHURCHES URGED TO REMAIN VIGILANT ABOUT TAX STATUS LOSS Bob Baksi, president of the League’s Windsor-Essex chapter, met with the executive director of the local hospice organization. (See report, be the millions of Canadians who rely on faith-based charities for page 3.) He was told it is very unlikely that the hospice organization assistance from everything from counseling, health care and having would change its traditional, unconditional opposition to active enough food. The letter is scheduled to be published in the U of T euthanasia. We encourage other chapters and League supporters, magazine’s Spring edition. especially those employed in the medical field, to contact hospices Five years ago, said Daniel Cere, Director of the Institute for the Study of and other care associations in their areas to promote respect for life. Marriage, law and Culture, Montreal, any mention of charitable status would have been a taboo topic, but now a mainstream public intellectual Prenatal screening challenged is talking about using the courts, the “weapon of rights” to pressure religions to conform to so-called Canadian values. The League circulated a press release and posted several articles to the Ms. Stein, however, is not the only one asking these questions about website Feb. 14 in response to the Canadian Society of Obstetricians multiculturalism. Other groups, however, while posing similar questions and Gynecologists’ recent recommendation to offer pre-natal offer different solutions. Last November, the Centre for Cultural Renewal screening to all expectant mothers, rather that just those over 35. held a symposium entitled “Public Morality? The Limits of Privacy and Although such testing can be helpful as a diagnostic tool, it often leads Community Standards” that looked at how Canada could find a common to the abortion of those likely to be born disabled. Catholic Office for standards of right and wrong for everyone in the wake of the Swinger’s Life and Family (COLF) and Canadian Physicians for Life both cited the (Labaye) decision that threw out community standards as a guide for eugenics’ overtones of this recommendation. The League recommends public morals. that expectant parents learn as much as they can about any tests that they are offered, including the risks of the tests themselves. As a civil The center’s executive director Iain Benson describes Stein’s attempt “to rights matter, patients always have the right to refuse treatment, portray religion as the enemy of ‘equality’ or ‘human rights’” as “fallacious including pre-natal testing. Again, we hope our members with medical and dangerous.” “We need better analysis of what is meant by modus expertise will participate actively in this debate. vivendi – how we live together despite disagreement; a subject not dealt with very well by Prof. Stein,” he said.

One of Canada’s foremost charitable tax law experts, Terrance Carter, said School funding questions arise he does not believe the church’s charitable status is “a current concern.” Nor does he see a political will to go after churches’ tax status. He said that The contention that no religious school should receive public funds is so far Canada’s courts are doing a good job balancing rights, including hardly new, but recently we have seen renewed lobbying efforts by, among religious freedom. He noted the amendment in the same-sex marriage others, www.oneschoolsystem.org, from which letters to the editor and op- legislation that is intended to protect the charitable status of those religious ed pieces have been published across Ontario. The League’s executive, as bodies that hold a traditional view of marriage. well as individual members, have written letters in response, which have been published. (See CCRL in the News, page 7.) We encourage our He also said the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is showing sensitivity and supporters to respond to these articles as best they can, asserting that any care in interpreting the law. inequities in school funding should be addressed by extending it to the However, he urged religious institutions to be vigilant and proactive to schools of all faith groups, not eliminating it. Opposition to Catholic protect the erosion of charitable status. “Long term, sure, anything can school funding will have a better chance of being taken seriously if it goes change. Anything.” unchallenged. Carter said churches have to make sure they maintain their charitable status on the basis of “the advancement of religion,” one of the so-called traditional “heads of charity” recognized by the courts, and not under some other “head” such as relief of poverty, advancement of education or To advertise in the newsletter, call Joanne other purposes advantageous to the community.

at 416-466-8244 or e-mail [email protected] “Otherwise the breadth that we currently have under the advancement of religion can be curtailed,” he said. -with a report from Deborah Gyapong, Canadian Catholic News

5 LEAGUE MEDIA WATCH

Claim of finding “Jesus’ family tomb” to cancel anti-Catholic diatribes by columnists and comedians, but our fraudulent but predictable files suggest that thousands are not enough. Nevertheless, we’re glad that this cancellation was short-lived. A few The League was not surprised when two Canadian film personalities days later, Mrs. Jeffs received word that the ads would air, and the launched a promotion for their next TV project by claiming they have contract would be honoured in full. There’s no doubt that protest from evidence that a Jerusalem tomb may house the remains of Jesus and the pro-life community helped lead to this turnaround. his family.

The announcement was made Feb. 26 in New York by James Amazing Grace a positive portrayal Cameron, director of “Titanic”, and Simcha Jacobovici, TV director. of Christian action that abolished slavery The tomb itself was discovered in 1980, and the archeologist in charge of the investigation, like all other knowledgeable scholars, has rejected The movie Amazing Grace, released in February in the US and the claim of any likelihood that Jesus was buried there. We have added scheduled to open in Canada in March, is about the abolition of the reliable reports to our website giving the facts about this find. slave trade and how William Wilberforce, an evangelical politician, led the campaign to end slavery throughout the British empire. The League finds it unfortunate that some television outlets consider Released to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition, the movie’s Lent and Easter to be a good time for yet another attempt to discredit producers hope to highlight the continued trade in human trafficking. the resurrection of Jesus. Fortunately, there are usually also some good The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, hosted a premiere in Ottawa in Easter productions available, both on Catholic television and on the February for parliamentarians. major networks. We encourage our supporters to simply tune in the better programs. The League has contacted the Canadian carrier of the Telus drops porn downloads from wireless service show, Vision TV, encouraging them to include a disclaimer advising that the show’s claims are speculative in the extreme, and we thank The League was pleased with the February decision by Telus Corp. to our supporters who have also done so. cease providing adult content on cellular phones. Archbishop of Vancouver had earlier expressed concerns about Commented Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., CEO of Salt and Light Catholic the new service, and after consultation within the archdiocese asked Media Foundation and Scripture scholar, (Eleve titulaire de l'Ecole Catholic schools and churches not to renew their contracts with Telus. Biblique et Archeologique Francaise de Jerusalem): "What is most troubling about this recent publicity stunt of Jesus' burial place and the “We commend Archbishop Roussin’s leadership in encouraging Telus alleged DNA findings of Jesus and his family is that the media has to discontinue providing adult content on cellular phones, where the spilled so much ink and wasted so much space on utter nonsense. control of end-user access is particularly difficult,” said League One would think that we learned some powerful lessons from the President Phil Horgan in a Feb. 21 press release. “We’re also pleased media hype surrounding the "James" ossuary several years ago, and that the company has shown sensitivity to customer concerns.” how important public institutions like the ROM were duped in their The League has written to Archbishop Roussin to thank him for his hosting such fraudulent works. leadership on this issue.

“Rather than shaking the faith of Christians and Catholics, this wild story calls into question the folly of self-proclaimed experts who have neither faith nor integrity. The story damages the serious work of Attacks on human life increasing, says Pope honest and intelligent archeologists who make significant contri- butions to history and civilization. Once again, serious Christians and Pope Benedict XVI has urged caution in the use of advanced biotech- Catholics learn from this folly and turn to the New Testament and to nology, noting that the “obsessive search for the perfect child” the Church to encounter the Risen Jesus, Lord of history, whom the threatens to unleash “a new wave of eugenic discrimination.” tomb could not contain, and whom no ossuary could possess." Addressing an international gathering of the Pontifical Academy for Life during a private audience Feb. 24, the Pope remarked that Pro-life ads re-instated arguments in defense of life are based not upon sectarian religious beliefs but on “the natural law written on the heart.” Alliance for Life Ontario (AFLO) sought help from many groups, including the League, when the Hamilton, Ont. radio station Y108 Despite the inherent truth of arguments for life, the Pontiff said, sought in early January to cancel its contract to air a series of pro-life assaults on human dignity are proliferating. He cited the drive for advertisements after a small number of complaints. In discussing the legalization of abortion in Latin America, the use of “new forms of proposed cancellation with the station manager, AFLO Executive chemical abortion under the pretext of reproductive health,” Director Jakki Jeffs learned that a maximum of six e-mails and one widespread population control programs, the quest for “designer voice mail had been received in protest of the ads. For League babies” and mounting pressures to legalize euthanasia and assisted members, the double standard is breathtaking. In this case, it seems suicide. The Pope also criticized the drive to obtain government that seven complaints are all it takes to get a pro-life message recognition for “forms of cohabitation alternative to marriage and cancelled, even if it’s paid advertising that conforms completely to closed to natural procreation.” He added that Christians have an industry guidelines. We’re not yet sure how many complaints it takes urgent responsibility to educate their neighbours about life issues.

6 CCRL in the news Toronto Star, Jan. 9 – “Issue needs more discussion”. League mentioned in member Paul Kokoski’s article about the Three Parent A partial listing of media engagements on our members’ behalf since case. our last edition. Vancouver Sun, Jan. 8, 2007 – “Schools warned on ‘values’.” Sean CanWest News Service (including Vancouver Sun and Victoria Times Murphy on the Corren agreement in BC schools Colonist), February 19 – “Parents protest gay-friendly classes.” League Director Sean Murphy on the Corren agreement. Times- BC Catholic, Jan. 8 – Phil Horgan on Ontario court ruling in Three Colonist letters, Feb. 23 – Mr. Murphy responds to article with focus Parent case; Joanne McGarry on removal of crosses from SFU’s coat on parental authority in public schools. of arms. Catholic Register Feb. 18 – League President Phil Horgan on fining of Nanaimo Daily News, Jan 5 – “Catholics want out of classes.” Sean Kamloops city councilor for comments about homosexual conduct. Murphy on parental authority in public schools. Abbotsford News, Feb. 13 – Letter from Sean Murphy on parental Toronto Free Press, Jan. 3 – League press release “Decision opens authority in public education re. the Corren agreement. “Pandora’s Box” for family law, on “Three Parent Case.” BC Catholic, Feb. 5 - Phil Horgan on fining of Kamloops city Toronto Star, Jan. 3 – Court rules boy has dad and two. League’s councilor for comments about homosexual conduct. work mentioned in report on “Three parent case” Catholic Insight, February Edition – League’s work on the Three Catholic Register, Dec. 24, Phil Horgan interviewed on results of Parent case; also column by League Director Richard Bastien “What December marriage vote in Parliament will this election be about?” The Interim, December, 2006 – Report on Bill Gairdner’s talk at The Interim, February Edition: League’s work on, and reaction to, the League’s annual meeting. Three Parent case. Catholic Insight, December, 2006 – League quoted in “Bishops and Hamilton Spectator, Jan. 29 – “Parents deserve choice of schools.” laity oppose ‘gay-positive’ curricula in BC schools Joanne McGarry on proposals to eliminate funding for Ontario BC Catholic, Dec. 18, 2006 – League cited in support of pro-life separate schools. group’s application for club status at UBC Okanagan BC Catholic, Jan. 29 – Corren agreement risky for school districts: National Post, Dec. 16 – Phil Horgan says Christmas tree should be CCRL”. Sean Murphy on proposed BC curriculum changes. returned to Ontario court house lobby. January interviews given by League officials on BC schools’ issue: Bill Sun TV, Dec. 6 – Joanne McGarry discusses debate and vote in Good Show (CKNW Vancouver) Jan. 11; BC Nightline (CKNW) Jan. Parliament on motion to re-open the definition of marriage. 8; Channel M Television News Jan. 8; CJVB Vancouver Jan. 8. Ottawa Citizen, Jan. 27 – “A prudent response to the science.” League mentioned in column about BC school curriculum issue. BC Catholic, Jan. 14 – League quoted in support of pro-life student Please visit our website at: http://ccrl.ca club at UBC Kamloops New this quarter: CFRB Toronto “Nightside”, January 12, Joanne McGarry on the Three * BC news section Parent Case. (see “Chapter”) CBC and CBC Radio-Canada, January 11, Joanne McGarry on the * Articles on marriage, Ontario Court of Appeal ruling in the Three Parent Case. life ussues and media monitoring

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DAYTIME PHONE # E-MAIL ADDRESS (for news updates) TOTAL $ Cheque included VISA # MC I would like to give a gift subscription. (Please fill in form.) Expiry date Signature I would like to enter subscriptions for several friends (Please attach list.) Continued from p. 1 HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES GROW NEWS BRIEFS portion of the population. We would urge people to seek reform of the human rights’ complaint process by raising the subject with their candidates in election campaigns. Carleton/UBC update * The League continues to support a federal government employee in her quest to have her union dues diverted to the Church. The Ontario and The League is pleased to note that Carleton University’s Lifeline pro- federal human rights commissions, denied League member Susan life club has received official “club” status after a near-unanimous vote Comstock this relief, which was sought on the grounds of freedom of by representatives of other campus groups earlier this week. However, religion, and based on the union’s aggressive lobbying efforts for same sex we remain concerned that the original “problem” policy remains in "marriage." effect. As you’ll recall, the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) voted to disallow the pro-life club due to a policy that all The League supported her appeal in federal court Feb. 19. The Ontario and recognized campus clubs must be “pro-choice” (League press federal Human Rights Commissions refused to hear the complaint, releases, Nov. 28). The League remains concerned that such a policy claiming that no prohibited ground of discrimination had been established. would exist in the first place, especially in a university. If you can only (The union and the employer had both argued that such relief is available be assured of a ‘place at the table’ if you support one side of a only to those whose religions forbid unionization.) In asking the federal contentious social issue, free speech is significantly limited. We will court to review this decision, the League noted that freedom of conscience continue to advise students about what options they should pursue and freedom of religion should be upheld by allowing the request. A when faced with situations of this kind. judgement will be released at a later date.

* Former Saskatchewan marriage commissioner Orville Nichols is appealing the revocation of his license to perform civil marriage Three parent position update ceremonies, which occurred when he told a same sex couple that he would not be able to officiate at their ‘wedding’ on conscience grounds. Application for Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada has He did, however, direct the pair to a commissioner who was available at been filed in the case of AA v BB (Three Parent Case). the same date and location requested, and who performed the ceremony. A similar case is under way in Manitoba, where marriage commissioners Don Hutchinson, spokesperson for the intervenor Alliance for were told shortly after Bill C-38 was passed that they would have to marry Marriage and Family, of which the League is a member, stated, “This same sex couples regardless of their own beliefs. case is the first of its kind in Canada. If left unchallenged, Ontario Court of Appeal’s decision will have a profound impact on all types of ** While the League is committed to doing everything possible to families. The case raises an issue of public and national importance publicize these cases, and offer commentary in line with Church that warrants the consideration and guidance of the Supreme Court of teachings, we hope that our upcoming development appeal will make it Canada.” possible to counteract these challenges in a more active way. We also invite our supporters to contact us with any experiences they may have As reported in our press release and e-mail news update Jan. 3, the had with human rights commissions. ** Ontario Court of Appeal in its decision Jan. 2 granted full parental rights and responsibilities for a five-year old to a lesbian couple (one of whom is the biological mother) and the biological father. In issuing Church agencies must allow same sex adoption: UK the decision, it cited the court’s “parens patriae” jurisdiction, which allows the state to intervene in the best interest of dependents such as The president of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales said he minors and the disabled. The application to appeal argues, in part, that was “deeply disappointed” about the British government’s refusal to this jurisdiction should not have been exercised due to the social exempt 13 Catholic adoption agencies from homosexual rights’ policy implications of the case. An appeal would test the limit of the regulations. court’s ability to extend its jurisdiction under parents patriae. Courts have limited such intervention in the past. For example, in a case “It is clear from the prime minister’s statement that he has listened to some involving the Child and Family Services, the court refused to of the concerns of the Catholic Church in regard to its adoption agencies,’ allow the detention of an habitual drug user during the course of her said Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor. “We are, of course, deeply pregnancy on these grounds. disappointed that no exemption will be granted to our agencies on the grounds of widely held religious conviction and conscience.” We will advise our members if leave to appeal is granted.

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