Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff urges Prime Minister Stephen Harper to make abortion and contraception part of his G8 plan to improve the lot of women worldwide.  Father Alphonse de Valk, editor of Catholic Insight notes this is the second time that Ignatieff has called for the killing of unborn children, foolishly believing this is a solution for women’s happiness. Furthermore, it is the second time that he does so without consulting his caucus or his party.

            The first time was on May 13, 2009 when he issued a statement saying “it is the longstanding view of the Liberal Party of Canada that women must have the right to choose [abortion]” (see Catholic Insight’s editorial “Death notice of the “Liberal Party,” June 2009, p.3).

            Ignatieff has spoken of “safe medical services” (May 19, 2009) and of “child health care” (Feb 2, 2010).   Father de Valk responds, “Abortion is not health care. Abortion does not heal; it kills the child, alienates the father, and hurts the mother, spiritually and physically”.

            The Canadian Press quotes Liberal MP Paul Szabo (Mississauga South) as saying that the matter was not discussed at any Liberal caucus meeting. Szabo told LifeSiteNews.com: “I am a pro-life MP and there are many of my colleagues in the Liberal Caucus who will protect the unborn as Parliamentarians.”

            Catholic Insight calls on Liberal MPs to reject Ignatieff’s claim to speak for the party.  If his claim stands, many Catholics and other pro-life Canadians will not vote Liberal in a coming election.  Father de Valk reminds Catholics that to be anti-life disqualifies a candidate from holding political office.

            Catholic Insight magazine is a journal of opinion, news, and analysis.  Within the English-speaking community of Canadian Catholics, it provides a forum for discussing political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the Church in Canada and the world at large.

Media contact:

Alphonse de Valk, Editor, Toronto, ON  Tel: 416-204-9601

Tony Gosgnach, Hamilton, ON  Tel: 905-578-4711