Highlights from "Creating a Culture of Life" International Forum
By Marcy Millette

"Creating A Culture of Life, An International Forum" was a very fitting title for this year's hope-filled national conference in Toronto, ON. Three hard-working groups, each with their own mission, teamed up to bring us the best fruits of their labours. International Right to Life (IRTL), LifeCanada, and Campaign Life Coalition facilitated a spectacular event that will impact the Canadian Pro-Life movement for many years. The Conference coincided with the Annual General Meeting of each respective group and brought together internationally renowned speakers.

Dr. John Wilke, M.D. , physician, author, lecturer, and President of IRTL, introduced his pro-life ambassadors as though he knew each country intimately. A catalogue of Dr. Wilke's extensive works with books, videos, posters and pamphlets can be obtained by contacting Hayes Publishing Inc. in Cincinnati , Ohio . Phone: 1-513-681-7559 or e-mail: hayespub@aol.com.

Dr. Marie Mignon Mascarenhas of India frequently quoted her long-time friend, Mother Theresa, and took the Western World to task for the corruptive influence of her people. She implored Canadian pro-lifers to lobby for a change in United Nations representation from this country. As it stands, Canada unashamedly advances the cause of coercive population control measures at the UN, and Third World nations are being crushed by these inhumanities. Instead of bandages and penicillin, India is given crates of condoms. Dr. Mascarenhas also commented on the atrocities of China 's one-child per family policy where female genocide is resulting in cousins marrying cousins in order to benefit the families involved. "All of us, by our silence, are aiding and abetting the evil in Canada , India and the whole world."

Rabbi Yehuda Levin , a pro-life orthodox rabbi from New York , broke his talk into an intriguing assortment of topics, from the Egyptian midwives who cried out to their Pharaoh, "Let our children live," to Madonna who has shamelessly disgraced womanhood. Rabbi Levin urged the delegates to counter the blatant perversion in today's world by following rules of conduct such as strict dress codes in our own families. "Abstinence is preceded modesty," he reminded us. This father of nine children encouraged the delegates to embrace the Gospel of Life. "God's greatest gift is to give us children," he said. Rabbi Levin can be reached at www.jewsformorality.org.

Dr. Talmir Rodriques cited Brazil 's long list of afflictions, reflecting the amount of anti-life blood money that is pumped into this most populous South American country. One organization alone has given $200,000,000.00 dollars with the intent to destroy the social fabric of this once predominantly Catholic nation. His organization, in collaboration with Churches and governments, works to counter this relentless attack with Natural Family Planning and increased awareness of other pro-life issues.

Lech and Ewa Kowalewski , energetic pro-life disciples from Poland , proclaimed Poland as living proof that de-funding abortion is good for babies, women and entire nations. (Abortion has been illegal for ten years in Poland ). Now, population levels are healthy, infertility and post-abortion syndrome are no longer serious health threats to women. This clearly dispels the pro-abortion myths that de-funding leads to back-alley horrors for women. Unfortunately, the Kowalewski's are presently battling the anti-life propaganda from the European Union. Of great significance, however, is Pope John Paul II's proclamation for the year 2003-the Year of the Rosary. This is perhaps a proclamation in answer to his continuing cry, "A nation that kills its own children is a nation without a future." We are to pray for peace and continue to serve the families of the world. Mr. Kowalewski also reported on many other European countries including Romania , Ukraine and Russia .

Returning to Canadian soil, Paul Szabo, M.P. from Ontario was able to give us a few practical tools in this battle for human life and dignity. He encouraged Canadians to continue sending petitions to their pro-life MP's. He suggested that we send 25 names at a time for the message to be read as often as possible, even on a daily basis. Writing short letters, two or three lines are most effective especially when we request that our letter be forwarded to all the member's colleagues. You can visit his website at www.paulszabo.com.

Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy 's session focused on Post-Abortion Syndrome, the text of which can be found in her book, "Women's Health After Abortion: The Physical and Psychological Evidence." This book may be purchased from the deVeber Institute for Bioethics and Social Research, 3089 Bathurst Street, Suite 316 , Toronto ON M6A 2A4 . Ph: (416) 256-0555.

Dr. Chris Kahlenborn , practicing physician (Internist) from Altoona , Pennsylvania , reported on his own work and that of Dr. Joel Brind concerning breast cancer. His book, "Breast Cancer: Its Link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill" sold out within minutes following his talk. It can be purchased for $25.00 at One More Soul (Canadian outlet) at 1-306-862-2338. Dr. Kahlenborn suggested giving one to your pharmacist.

Founder of the Canadian Centre for Bioethical Reform, Stephanie Gray , gave us all hope as she explained the need to use graphic images to display the blunt truth of so-called choice. "The civil rights movement started when the brutality of racial segregation became real in the victim's mind and in the culture's mind. If the pro-life movement is to see any turn around in this culture, the first step to achieving that change will be to expose the brutality of abortion in all its horror."

This overview of Canada 's National Conference would not be complete without mentioning, Fr. R. J. Neuhaus 's poignant analysis of the pro-life movement in North America in his keynote address. "For us there is only the trying," he quoted from T.S. Eliot. "Settle for nothing less than moral and spiritual greatness," he related from the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

Thank you Fr. Neuhaus, Fr. Ted Colleton , Senator Anne Cools , Fr. Alphonse de Valk and all the other speakers who made up this spectacular conference.

The entire conference package is available on cassette, and would make a great Christmas present. To order, contact Campaign Life Coalition at (416) 204-9749, or email clc@lifesite.net

Marcy Millette represents Saskatchewan on LifeCanada's Board of Directors