Debased

Among all of the other fun Canada Day activities (laying on the couch watching TSN, fireworks, BBQs, free concerts, etc.), the Order of Canada's recipients are named. As it turns out, some people have issue with the Order of Canada's selections for this year. Namely, the always loving Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto. While I've never heard of this guy, and I'm sure this is the last time we'll have to hear from him (you know, until the next Catholic priests-and-little boys scandal), he's decided he knows more about what's important in Canada than anyone else. He says Canada's highest honour has been debased by having been awarded to Dr. Harvey Morgentaler. Now this is in no way intended to be a God-bashing rant, or church-bashing rant, or even an anti-religion rant. I know many beautiful, wonderful people from all sorts of backgrounds and belief structures, and it's one of the best things about living in Canada. But there are times when the Catholic church just takes things too far (10 commandments of driving, anyone?), and this is one of those times. One of this year's recipients, Dr. Henry Morgentaler, is a man I don't know much about him either. But Wikipedia tells me he's Polish, survived the Holocaust, and was a medical practitioner in Montreal. I've seen some pretty baseless things in Montreal, but surely he must have been rather evil for the Catholic church to come at him. Maybe it's this: he's performed abortions and fought for a woman's right to choose in Canada for more than 50 years. There are few things in this country, or any other country in the world quite as controversial as abortions. But if I may climb atop my soapbox for a moment, I believe Jay said it best in Dogma when he said "A woman's body's her own fuckin' business." So what did the good doctor get for 50 years of fighting for equality and individual freedom? Several trips in front of the Supreme Court and a life of legal battles, attacked with garden shears, and a bombing in one of his clinics. And the admiration and thanks of countless women in this country. And now, the Order of Canada. As soon as Catholic priests can keep their pants on in the rectory, they can have a say again when it comes to right and wrong. For now, let's leave right and wrong in the hands of people trying to make sure freedom always has a place in this world.