Morgentaler

The Order of Canada – good on you, Henry. Dr Henry Morgentaler fought long and hard to bring safe abortions to the women of Canada. He endured death threats, protest rallies and months in jail, all in an effort to have abortion removed from the Criminal Code of Canada and to give women the right to choose a safe clinical abortion over the backroom butcheries that often left women infertile or physically damaged as abortions were performed ‘in secret’.

As would be expected, the Catholic Church was vocal in its disapproval of the Order going to Morgentaler. Joined by the Pro-Life activists, other right-wing religious groups and what remains of the anti-feminist movement, they are petitioning to have the award rescinded. Some previous holders of the medal have threatened to return their honour. The Prime Minister has tried to distance himself from the issue, but his right-wing beliefs are showing through the thin political spin veneer.

It is easy to understand why the above groups are against Morgentaler, just as it is easy to see the views on the side that supports women’s rights and safe abortions. However, I feel certain that Henry will not be overly influenced by a Catholic priest with a somewhat tarnished reputation getting equal media play. If all the weight of the Pope does not bother Henry, neither will the naysayers who are filling the mailboxes with letters of protest. That Henry is an atheist most likely rankles some more than his stand on abortion.

The issue that gets lost in all the kerfuffle is that those opposing Henry are the ones who ought to be chastised. Morgentaler is following his Humanist leanings in not forcing people to do anything. He never forced anyone to have an abortion; all he did was to give women a safer option if they decided to terminate a pregnancy. The ‘Church’ on the other hand, forces women to do something they may not wish to do – continue through a pregnancy whether they wished to or not. Citing some divine instruction, the church made choices for women and people facing an unwanted pregnancy. The Supreme Court of Canada finally agreed with Henry and said women have the right to decide for themselves. The ruling does not affect those women who prefer to have the Church make their decisions.

Henry Morgentaler deserves the Order of Canada in recognition of his fight for the rights of the person to make choices about their being without the shadow of criminal law hanging over their head. That he also fought for and brought us safer clinics where qualified doctors and nurses could openly perform operations for women was a bonus.