VANCOUVER - A Vancouver-area priest plans to return his Order of Canada rather than be associated with Henry Morgentaler, the abortion rights activist who was awarded the country's highest civilian honour earlier this week.
Father Lucien Larre, founder of the Bosco Centres for emotionally disturbed and addicted adolescents, said Wednesday that he must return the award as a "matter of conscience."
Larre received the award in 1983. He said elevating Morgentaler to the Order of Canada "degrades" the award for those who believe in the sanctity of human life.
The priest said he does not mean any disrespect for the Governor General, nor does he wish to condemn Morgentaler or his sincerity.
"But I believe in my heart that he is horribly wrong and that the advisory committee made a terrible mistake," he said in a statement.
The priest said he's not acting as a representative of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, but as a private citizen struggling with a matter of conscience.
Morgentaler is best known for taking his fight to the Supreme Court and striking down the country's abortion laws 20 years ago.
Abortion rights groups applauded the decision to award him the Order of Canada, while the move drew swift and angry condemnation from several pro-life advocates and church groups.
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Article online since July 3rd 2008, 0:00
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