D
David_Paul
Guest
LONDON, May 6, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com)
Don McDougall, Chair of the Board of Governors of The University of Western Ontario has issued an Open Letter heavily critical of the university’s decision to award abortionist Henry Morgentaler an honorary doctor of laws degree on June 16.**
McDougall notes University President Paul Davenport broke committee protocol to push through Morgentaler’s nomination, and that “the Board of Governors may intervene” or override the Senate, “if there is a “third party” event which flows directly from this appointment which seriously damages the wellbeing of the University.”
As Western’s Board of Governors has noted, public voices across Canada, and internationally, are rising in what is becoming a nightmare for the university’s reputation.
A steady stream of letters to the editor and commentary in an increasing number of news and media sources across Canada show growing opposition.
Leading figures in London, the Canadian and international community, university faculty members, alumni and students have publicly decried the decision; others are lining up to join their stand.
A group run by a broad Western alumni coalition calling itself UOWProtest.com has amassed over 7000 signatures on a petition opposing the honour for Morgentaler.
Protester profiles at UWOProtest.com show the reasons are diverse. To honour Henry Morgentaler is said to set him before alumni, students and friends of the university as an exemplary model of scholarship and contribution to Canadian society.
Many cannot honour Dr. Morgentaler, as they see him as akiller of the most innocent humans– one who repeatedly violated Canadian criminal law leading to a situation where Canada has no law protecting the unborn prior to the moment of delivery.
Members of visible minorities have serious questions about the racial implications of his philosophy and practice.
Others see the decision as a poor and controversial choice which will lead to a devaluing of Western and its degrees among Canadians.
Many, including those ambivalent towards or supportive of Morgentaler’s philosophy, feel that the university is acting divisively and ought to reverse its decision for the sake of graduating students.
Giving this honour at convocation means that graduands and their families are forced to either tacitly join in honouring Morgentaler and all that he exemplifies or, where conscience does not permit, students who have earned their degrees will not be able to participate in their own convocation.
William VanDoodewaard, Media and Communications Officer for Western Alumni Against Honouring Morgentaler states “the explosive open letter from Don McDougall, Chair of Western’s Board of Governors, shows that the protest movement is having a profound impact. Now more than ever we encourage Western alumni, the taxpaying Canadian public, and international supporters, to join us in voicing their concerns via the UWOProtest.com website.”
In related news, London’s Catholic Bishop, Ronald Fabbro, has also written the university expressing his concerns.* “By granting its highest honour to Dr. Morgentaler, the University of Western chooses to recognize a man who has spent his life advocating that women in Canada have easy access to abortion,” wrote Bishop Fabbro.*
Writing in his capacity as “honorary chair of the Board of Directors of King’s University College, a Catholic college affiliated with Western,” the Bishop said of Morgentaler, “Now, he seems to be promoting abortion as a legitimate way for society to reduce crime and poverty, in other words, as a form of eugenics. As a result of his efforts, hundreds of thousands of unborn children have been killed.”
See the letters from McDougall and Bishop Fabbro:
uwoprotest.com/news
Bishop Fabbro
Don McDougall, Chair of the Board of Governors of The University of Western Ontario has issued an Open Letter heavily critical of the university’s decision to award abortionist Henry Morgentaler an honorary doctor of laws degree on June 16.**
McDougall notes University President Paul Davenport broke committee protocol to push through Morgentaler’s nomination, and that “the Board of Governors may intervene” or override the Senate, “if there is a “third party” event which flows directly from this appointment which seriously damages the wellbeing of the University.”
As Western’s Board of Governors has noted, public voices across Canada, and internationally, are rising in what is becoming a nightmare for the university’s reputation.
A steady stream of letters to the editor and commentary in an increasing number of news and media sources across Canada show growing opposition.
Leading figures in London, the Canadian and international community, university faculty members, alumni and students have publicly decried the decision; others are lining up to join their stand.
A group run by a broad Western alumni coalition calling itself UOWProtest.com has amassed over 7000 signatures on a petition opposing the honour for Morgentaler.
Protester profiles at UWOProtest.com show the reasons are diverse. To honour Henry Morgentaler is said to set him before alumni, students and friends of the university as an exemplary model of scholarship and contribution to Canadian society.
Many cannot honour Dr. Morgentaler, as they see him as akiller of the most innocent humans– one who repeatedly violated Canadian criminal law leading to a situation where Canada has no law protecting the unborn prior to the moment of delivery.
Members of visible minorities have serious questions about the racial implications of his philosophy and practice.
Others see the decision as a poor and controversial choice which will lead to a devaluing of Western and its degrees among Canadians.
Many, including those ambivalent towards or supportive of Morgentaler’s philosophy, feel that the university is acting divisively and ought to reverse its decision for the sake of graduating students.
Giving this honour at convocation means that graduands and their families are forced to either tacitly join in honouring Morgentaler and all that he exemplifies or, where conscience does not permit, students who have earned their degrees will not be able to participate in their own convocation.
William VanDoodewaard, Media and Communications Officer for Western Alumni Against Honouring Morgentaler states “the explosive open letter from Don McDougall, Chair of Western’s Board of Governors, shows that the protest movement is having a profound impact. Now more than ever we encourage Western alumni, the taxpaying Canadian public, and international supporters, to join us in voicing their concerns via the UWOProtest.com website.”
In related news, London’s Catholic Bishop, Ronald Fabbro, has also written the university expressing his concerns.* “By granting its highest honour to Dr. Morgentaler, the University of Western chooses to recognize a man who has spent his life advocating that women in Canada have easy access to abortion,” wrote Bishop Fabbro.*
Writing in his capacity as “honorary chair of the Board of Directors of King’s University College, a Catholic college affiliated with Western,” the Bishop said of Morgentaler, “Now, he seems to be promoting abortion as a legitimate way for society to reduce crime and poverty, in other words, as a form of eugenics. As a result of his efforts, hundreds of thousands of unborn children have been killed.”
See the letters from McDougall and Bishop Fabbro:
uwoprotest.com/news
Bishop Fabbro