Note: the following letter was sent on letterhead listing the directors of COLF, the most prominent being Vancouver Bishop Adam Exner, who strongly opposes Catholic involvement in the March of Women. See the bishop's statement which is contradicted by what is written below.

Organisme catholique pour la vie et la famille
Catholic Organization for Life and Family
90 Parent Ave., Ottawa ON K1N 7B1
Telephone: (613) 241-9461 Fax (613) 241-8117
E-Mail ocvfcolf@cccb.ca

June 21, 2000

Dear Deacon Daniel and Mary Dauvin,

Thank you very much for your e-mail to our organization, dated May 30, 2000, about the March of Women.

Firstly, The canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has not given any money to the March of Women. The funds you refer to in your e-mail were provided by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) to the International Committee over the course of four years to enable the participation of women in developing countries. This was done independently of the CCCB because CCODP is a separate and autonomous entity.

Secondly, I am enclosing the two statements issued by the CCCB on the March. 1) the statement of the President, Bishop Gerald Wiesner, dated February 17, 2000 and 2) the joint statement of clarification, dated May 15, 2000 by the representatives of four major Catholic organizations, including the CCCB.

Both statements make it very clear that the CCCB has only supported the general objectives of the march which are to end poverty and violence against women. In reaffirming support for these objectives, the joint statement says: we wish to underline that support of the general objectives of the World March of Women 2000 does not mean support for each and every one of the specific Canadian demands. In particular, we wish to make it crystal clear that it does not include support for abortion or alter the profound commitment of our organizations to respect, promote and protect human life, especially the unborn who are most vulnerable.

Both statements also stress that the basis of Catholic participation in the March should be Catholic teaching which is set out in Bishop Wiesner’s state as the equality of men and women, the preferential option of the poor, solidarity with the oppressed, respect for human life and dignity, and marriage as an equal partnership between husband and wife to which the transmission of life is entrusted.

While there is always room for a variety of approaches, the four major Catholic Organizations that have supported the general objectives of the March believe that they have adopted an approach that is faithful to Catholic teaching and witnesses to the deep concern of catholic leaders about the feminization of poverty and violence against women. In deciding not to remain aloof from the march of Women, these organizations have brought attention to the issue of abortion and the fact that poverty and violence are among the contributing causes.

While it is not always easy to discern how to engage in a meaningful way in the issues that are important to the men and women of today, the words of pope John XXIII in his 1961 encyclical, Mater et Magistra (para. 239) are pertinent:

In response to various requests, the CCCB Executive has indicated the basis for Catholic participation in the March. Some Catholics may decide to get involved and others may not. Again, it is helpful to recall the words of Pope John XXIII in paragraph 238 of his encyclical:

Thank you very much for writing to express your concerns. I hope that the documents and information contained in this letter will help you to understand the position of the CCCB. Given your recommendation that there be a “review of the leadership of the CCCB” and given the fact that your bishop is on the Executive, I am forwarding copies of your letter and this letter to him.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Leddy
Co-Director
c.c. Most Reverend Brendan O’Brien Bishop of Pembroke