Looking South For Inspiration

We have just gone through one of the strangest elections in our national history. Called because of a naked grab for more power and with unchecked hubris by Justin Trudeau, the federal election was a costly exercise in stasis. A few shifts here and there of parliamentary seats and the increasing fragmentation of the federal political scene only saw our current government drop even further in the actual supporting vote count – again having less votes than the second place Conservatives- and yet claiming a mandate for sweeping change.

It is disheartening to go through an election where even the mention of abortion was seen as a wedge issue and where three Catholic leaders- Trudeau, O’Toole and Blanchet- each outbid each other to call for no restrictions on the killing of preborn children. The issue of mercy-killing was not allowed to be raised and other substantive issues seemed impossible to discuss. Though so much of our pro-life battle arises from both political and obviously partisan court decisions, the space for discussion seems limited and ineffectual.

Each election is also a chance to take stock but when pro-lifers have been shut out for decades from effective political discussion by rabid pro-death politicians and when pro-death voices from purported Catholics seems to be no different than from anyone else, it can be hard to stay faithful in the fight.

I would like to suggest that we look south of the border to Texas and other American states for inspiration. I am well aware that this can be a temptation to just try to copy tactics and import foreign concepts that do not fit with our political system, but I am not talking of trying to make round peg Congressional political manoeuvres fit into a square hole Parliamentary system. That has happened many times when well meaning pro-life American politicians have hopped across the border to tell us “how to win!” I have been inspired and uplifted by them, but I don’t imitate their particular tactics.

What we can and must imitate, however is their tenacity, general strategy and creativity. For example, the current Texas legislation is interesting in that it takes account of years of defeated legislation and struck down court cases. It allows for a wide-ranging restriction of abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected (approximately 6 weeks) whether chemically or surgically offered. In a brilliant stroke, it allows ordinary citizens to bring forth legal action against abortion providers of any kind. The other particularities of the law don’t need to concern us here but what must concern us is that it was crafted with the full awareness of how other laws had failed and some initiatives had partially succeeded. It faces a daunting array of opposing forces from both a “Catholic” President and Majority House Leader to rabid “Catholic” pro-abortion voices throughout the system and in the law courts.

We certainly cheer on all such efforts and pray for their success. We need to emulate not the Texas specifics but the thrust of such efforts. The Canadian political and legal situation is before us. What initiatives from bright young minds and seasoned campaigners can be brought to light? Are there young (or older!) scholars that can be sought out and encouraged to use the particularities of our system of law and politics to raise bulwarks for life? How can they be tested in the forge of realpolitik and supported in the rough and tumble of our party system? How can we look clearly, publicly and coldly at the Justices who pronounce on our fates so regally and think hard about control of such an institution? There are many other questions of this type to be formulated and the answers followed through.

Almost 15 years ago I received a soft cover book of several hundred pages that listed the pro-life initiatives in 2008 in the USA. Yes, there are 50 states and a federal system and that bulks things up in terms of actions and possibilities, but it showed the readiness to try new approaches and ideas. Elections will come and go. We need our tenacity to keep battling. We need our readiness to use the gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, and above all, Fortitude to win the day! And that day will come!

Fr. Tom Lynch (PFLC National President)