Category Archives: News

Woodworth on Personhood

Commentary by Jane Richard, President of KW Right to Life

Under tight police security November 14, 2013 at the University of Waterloo Stephen Woodworth MP Kitchener Centre spoke about; “The importance of the legal principle which requires recognition of the equal worth and dignity of every human being and the implication of Parliament’s abandonment of that principle in defeating Motion 312.”

His initiative to investigate the outdated Personhood Law Section 223 (1) in relation to current medical scientific research and evidence was supported by 93 members of parliament.

Section 223(1) of the Canadian Criminal Code states: A child becomes a human being within the meaning of this Act when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother, whether or not:  a) it has breathed; b) it has independent circulation; c) the navel string is severed

MP Stephen Woodworth talked about the following points:

Denial of human equality is the greatest threat to democracy in Canada today.

Categories of being human are never closed to tyranny and we should never accept any law that says someone you know to be a human being is not a human being.

The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity and inalienable rights of all members of the human family. It is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. Is there anything more important?

Is abortion more important than the principle of human equality?

How do we resolve rights between kinds of people?

The state is not in a position to make that decision.

Statistics Canada records 491 born alive abortion victims. No one was prosecuted. People are even purporting that children should be allowed to be euthanized up to age three years as they have not reached the stage of self awareness.

Stephen Woodworth resolved that the Parliament of Canada affirm that every Canadian law must be interpreted in a manner that recognizes in law the equal worth and dignity of everyone who is in fact a human being. All options should be reviewed in the light of science and medicine when there is reasonable doubt.

In Canada, the Right to Life movement is concerned with the rights of the child and the rights of the mother in the abortion issue along with euthanasia. We recognize the ideology of the denial of personhood must be expounded to justify the killing.  As does the history of eugenics based on race, gender and even consciousness. The last 100 years are rife with examples.

Abortion, the current denial of personhood plays a particular role in today’s society for all the same reasons that eugenics did in the past. The difference is that a mother destroys her own child for the sake of expediency.  Cold comfort for her and those involved in abortion.

A Message of Hope

Centre stage for 2012 was Motion 312. Stephen Woodworth MP challenged the medical and scientific Canadian community and parliament to examine an old law that states an unborn child is not a human being until the moment of complete birth. A brilliant approach that can’t easily be dismissed even if only 1/3rd MP’s voted in favour of it.

It provided fuel for a resurgence in energy for the entire prolife movement in Canada. KW Right to Life worked hard to get the word out locally and across Canada. With 14 presentations regarding the motion and much communication among prolife groups we supported Motion 312 with everything we had and encouraged others to do the same.

We tried again this year for the second time in 8 years to unite through advertising 5 major prolife groups across Canada . The hope was to create a clear unified message to enhance awareness that would produce a greater respect for the value of preborn children and life at all stages. Unfortunately, again the talks broke down as some of the groups were unwilling to work
toward a strategy. It was disappointing as the Canadian prolife movement has become competitive.
Our hope, however lies with the youth within our ranks. We anticipate their clear thinking leadership to move the prolife cause forward In a unified fashion that will in turn accelerate change regarding public opinion of abortion. There is much work to do inside and outside the movement.

Local events were well attended this year with nearly 200 at our Life Chain Memorial and exposure to thousands attending the local Roseville National Plowing Match. Our regular Walk for Life, Prayer Vigils and local 40 days for Life were also well attended. Office work is demanding and we counsel over 30 women monthly who are seeking abortion along with more than 40 requests for information.

We wish to thank all of our prayer and financial supporters and volunteers who have allowed us to stay in operation over the last 40 years.

Our 40th Anniversary Dinner Nov. 10th was a smashing success. One hundred sixty people enjoyed great ambiance and shared 40 years of experience in the company of great people. Over the years by a single voice, thousands of local pro-life people have worked diligently and made a deep impact on the KW Community and beyond.

After this length of time we have only begun the battle for justice for the protection of all human life. MP Stephen Woodworth Kitchener Centre spoke eloquently and presented us with a plaque congratulating us for our 40 year achievements.

Other amazing speakers who spoke at the dinner were Jonathan Van Meran from the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform who explained his strategy of exposing the truth about abortion using pictures. He described that throughout history this technique succeeded in all the human rights violations involving personhood.

Simon Walley from Matercare International described his medical facilities that help African women deliver their babies safely and prevent the horrible effects of fistula in women without the benefit of good maternal care.

The Silent Auction brought in $883 alone plus we sold many Christmas cards. A good time was had by
all.

Many Blessings for Christmas and the New Year!

Jane Richard, KWRTL President

Pro-Life Coverage in The Record

Here is some of the positive exposure to the pro-life cause in The Record:

Prayer Vigil – Saturday, January 28, 2012

24 Years Without a Law
On January 28th, 1988, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down all legal abortion restrictions.

Join us on Saturday, January 28, 2012:

7pm – In front of Kitchener City Hall (skating rink)
7:30 pm to 8pm – Walk a short distance to St. Mary’s Church (Duke St) for speaker & Benediction from followed by refreshments in church hall. Continue reading Prayer Vigil – Saturday, January 28, 2012

Memorial Day – October 2, 2011

We mourn the loss of over 3 1/2 million children aborted  in Canada since 1970 

Sunday October 2nd 2011  2pm-3pm

In front of Grand River Hospital King St.

Bring your family, friends, and hold a sign along King St. in silent prayer

A short memorial service will be held at 2:50pm at the memorial site with a wreath, candles, letters and poems for babies lost to abortion

We remember the millions of lives lost to abortion and the effects on their parents, families and the nation

Call KW Right to Life 519.746.LIFE

 

It’s a double crime

The RECORD Article – June 18, 2011

Our research shows at least five pregnant women in Canada have been killed in the past few years, with convictions of one count of murder each. A woman who was pregnant was killed in Kitchener recently. The Canadian Criminal Code states that a fetus is a “human being” when it has completely proceeded, in a living state, from the body of its mother.

A double charge of murder could be a deterrent for crimes against a woman and her unborn child. Affirming the value of the unborn baby would also affirm the value of the mother’s life because she died wanting to bring her baby to term.

Recent fetal homicide bills have failed, even with two-thirds of Canadians wanting at least some protection for unborn human life, according to a 2009 Environics poll. The law should balance the rights of the preborn baby and the rights of the mother.

Are these incidents relevant to the abortion debate? A recent study found that 64 per cent of aborted women felt pressured by others leaving them “no choice” but abortion, says the Elliot Institute. The right to make “her own choice” would affect the rights of women in a positive way.

Criminal Law has to do something more substantial to help pregnant women at risk from abusive relationships. Women need a law that protects them and allows them to bring their babies to term safely. Informed consent laws could screen those at risk of abuse and pressure to abort.

Jane Richard
K-W Right to Life President
Kitchener