Campagne Québec-Vie

Being a pro-life advocate is difficult work, but not for the obvious reasons. One of the biggest burdens for us at Quebec Life Coalition is being unable to announce the progress we are making, and the things we are hearing, simply because they are not ready to be announced or not ready to be revealed.

For example, I was told in confidence by an individual of great influence that he will oppose with all the force he can muster the back-door legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide in Quebec (for background, go to http://bit.ly/cA7oSm), and I wanted to let the whole world know about this good news. However, I can only speak in allusions, because to reveal this person’s name would jeopardize our common aim: to keep legalized end-of-life killing out of Quebec.

However, even in the “visible” realm there is much evidence that we are winning the current euthanasia battle, especially since the founding of a Quebec network called “Vivre dans la dignité” (Living with Dignity). We urge you to visit their website (www.vivredignite.com). In fact, I think this group and many others, including several volunteers from Quebec Life Coalition, have surprised the Quebec parliamentary commission on euthanasia (currently underway) with our volume of interventions against euthanasia. If the government ever hoped to use this Commission as a means of justifying legalizing euthanasia, they will have to put that plan aside, for far too many of the interventions before the commission are absolutely opposed to the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

And by the way: you too can help defeat the threat of euthanasia in Quebec by answering the Quebec parliamentary commission questionnaire online at:

https://www.assnat.qc.ca/csmd/dyingwithdignity.aspx

Turning now to the other end of the battle for respect for human life—the struggle towards recognition of the humanity and right to life of unborn human beings— we see that things are quite difficult indeed. In fact, it’s no surprise that an attack on vulnerable human life at the end of the life spectrum is underway now that killing vulnerable human life at its beginning has become commonplace and tacitly accepted by too many of our fellow citizens.

But there is reason to hope that the tide is turning, if only because an injustice of this magnitude cannot stand for long. As Denver Archbishop Chaput asserted in a recent address (see enclosed newsletter), “abortion is the crucial issue of our age.” Indeed, for anyone who knows the Gospel, what we do “to the littlest of these” we do to Him. And who is smaller, poorer, more defenseless, and more innocent than the unborn child?

There is nothing, therefore, more egregious than the intentional killing of unborn life. But that murder is repeated 30,000 times a year in Quebec, and we can only multiply the dizzying kaleidoscope of distractions, i-phone apps, sports events, festivals, etc. to keep us from facing this calamity and repenting and converting to the Truth that Life is God’s.

One way we will know we are winning the hearts and minds of our citizens is when we will see the hearts and minds of Christians fully converted to the Truth that the unborn are human beings loved and wanted by God. Christians must stop denying that this fight is theirs and begin at once to face what 40 years of legalized abortion has done to this province and country. To help churches and parishes begin the process of dealing with abortion, Quebec Life Coalition has listed several ways churches can become involved in re-creating a Culture of Life in the province of Quebec. See the attached newsletter for details.

One very special way churches can help create a culture of life in Quebec is by participating in the latest edition of the 40 Days for Life in Montreal (see newsletter). The 40 Days for Life, which is twice-yearly 40-day prayer vigil outside of an abortion clinic, is taking place this fall in 238 cities across North America and internationally, and begins in Montreal with a kickoff on Tuesday September 21 at 7pm at Lahaie park, across the street from 30 Saint-Joseph E.

Also, please take note of an important International pro-life conference in Ottawa being held from October 28 to October 30. See the newsletter for details!

P.S. LifeChain (see http://bit.ly/apLWnz) will be coming to town on October 3. Hundreds of cities will be participating. Call Quebec Life Coalition at (514) 344-2686 for details on this annual pro-life demonstration.