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rfmcdonaldControversial abortion doctor Henry Morgentaler is now a member of the Order of Canada.
Abortion, in Canada as elsewhere, is a terribly controversial topic around the world (no, I'm not going to vocie my opinion). abortion clinics are stigmatized by the anti-abortion movement, condemned for working in abortion clinics, rather, "abortion mills", taking human life--human life that, as I understand it, is as human as any adult involved--indiscriminately.. Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins doubtless speaks for the Roman Catholic Church in his statement, as reported at LifeSiteNews.
I'm somewhat confused by the Archbishop's broadly positive and unsitgmatized treatment of the women who had abortions, particularly in the light of the stigmatization of the doctors who collaborated with them in removing the fetus from the woman's bodies. Shouldn't they bear as much moral and legal responsibility as their collaborators? This interesting discussion considers the asymmetry of a situation where an abortion doctor might be punished under criminal law but a woman who goes to procure an abortion even though they enter into a conspiracy together. The commenters seem to come up with the answer that women who seek out abortions are by definition not competent and should be excused from the legal consequences of their acts.. This fits in nicely with as Joyce Arthur's suggestion that anti-abortion activists don't consider women to be capable of making moral decisions and needing to be protected from the consequences of their actions by external authorites.
Thoughts?
Abortion rights activist Henry Morgentaler was awarded his controversial Order of Canada on Friday as other recipients caught in the tempest defended him and a handful of placard-wielding protesters voiced their opposition outside the Citadel in Quebec City.
Morgentaler, one of about 20 recipients who received the award from Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean, is best known for getting the country's abortion laws struck down in the Supreme Court some 20 years ago.
His naming to the Order of Canada sparked protests from across the country with several members returning their orders and abortion opponents saying the award devalues the honour.
"I'm honoured to receive the Order of Canada today," Morgentaler said, reading from a statement following the ceremony.
"Canada's one of the few places in the world where freedom of speech and choice prevail in a truly democratic fashion."
Morgentaler did not take questions from reporters, but other recipients did and found themselves answering questions about the controversial Montreal doctor.
[. . .]
The Order of Canada is the country's highest civilian honour for recognizing a lifetime of outstanding achievement and dedication to the community.
"I'm proud to have been given this opportunity coming from a war-torn Europe to realize my potential and my dream - that is to create a better and more humane society," said Morgentaler, a Holocaust survivor.
Abortion, in Canada as elsewhere, is a terribly controversial topic around the world (no, I'm not going to vocie my opinion). abortion clinics are stigmatized by the anti-abortion movement, condemned for working in abortion clinics, rather, "abortion mills", taking human life--human life that, as I understand it, is as human as any adult involved--indiscriminately.. Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins doubtless speaks for the Roman Catholic Church in his statement, as reported at LifeSiteNews.
"The Order of Canada was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of citizens who have desired and helped to create a better country. Is a country made better when those who are most vulnerable are not allowed to continue their brief experience of the precious gift of life itself?
"He is being received into the Order of Canada despite the opposition of hundreds of thousands of Canadians. This action divides our country. It does not unite.
"This ceremony is taking place as we are entering into the celebration of Thanksgiving, when loved ones will gather with their families across this nation. Around dining room tables this weekend, let us reflect deeply, and remember that while no one of us was ever a mere part of another's body, each one of us was, at one time, the precious unborn baby in our mother's womb. Let each of us thank God that our personal journey was not terminated. This is no abstract issue. Nothing affects you or me more profoundly. After all, you and I are here to give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day.
"As I stated when this announcement was first made in July, I appeal to all of those who have suffered through an abortion, or who feel pressured to seek this path. The Archdiocese of Toronto website http://www.archtoronto.org continues to offer information which will guide you along a path that leads to life and inner peace. There are many people who are eager to listen to you, to love you, and to help you.
I'm somewhat confused by the Archbishop's broadly positive and unsitgmatized treatment of the women who had abortions, particularly in the light of the stigmatization of the doctors who collaborated with them in removing the fetus from the woman's bodies. Shouldn't they bear as much moral and legal responsibility as their collaborators? This interesting discussion considers the asymmetry of a situation where an abortion doctor might be punished under criminal law but a woman who goes to procure an abortion even though they enter into a conspiracy together. The commenters seem to come up with the answer that women who seek out abortions are by definition not competent and should be excused from the legal consequences of their acts.. This fits in nicely with as Joyce Arthur's suggestion that anti-abortion activists don't consider women to be capable of making moral decisions and needing to be protected from the consequences of their actions by external authorites.
Thoughts?
