As we fight to protect the lives of unborn children in America we often forget that our friends in Canada are doing the same. Recently, the pro-life community suffered a grave insult as Henry Morgentaler, a “doctor” famous for performing countless illegal abortions, received the Order of Canada. One of the highest honors within the Canadian system of honors, the Order of Canada is given only to those individuals who exemplify its motto “desiderantes meliorem patriam”, which means “they desire a better country.”

So why does Morgentaler deserve this award? According to the selection committee, Morgentaler has earned the honor through “his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations.”

Morgentaler has always been a strong advocate for abortion. In 1969, he left his own practice and began performing illegal abortions. At the time, it was very difficult for a woman to obtain an abortion and even more difficult to find a doctor who would do it. After being arrested, put in jail, and then aquitted, Morgentaler continued his deadly work, publicly claiming to have done thousands of abortions.

In 1988, Morgentaler brought forward a suit very similar to our own Roe v. Wade, and the case Morgenaler et al. v. Her Majesty The Queen was decided in Morgentaler’s favor. It effectively overturned all pro-life laws in Canada. Since then, Morgentaler has set up numerous clinics throughout his country, and despite admitting to charges of malpractice, has continued to make a profit of millions of dollars each year. If this man is considered deserving of the Order of Canada, who is next?

To protest Morgentaler’s award, several previous recipients have returned their medals. The Madonna House Appostolate, whose deceased founder Catherine Doherty received the Order of Canada in 1976, was the first to do so. Archbishop Thomas Collins protested Morgentaler’s award by saying, “Canada's highest honor has been debased ... We are all diminished… Henry Morgentaler is responsible for the most grievous destruction of the most vulnerable in our country ... the bestowal of this is a dishonorable act and it must be revoked”. Hopefully, if there is enough protest, Rideau Hall, which presents the Order of Canada, will reverse its decision. Morgentaler must not be rewarded for his crimes.

For more about this story, see coverage here, here and here on Lifenews.com, a great source for up-to-date pro-life news on the internet.