O T T A W A
August 15, 2000

Sheilah Pellerin
National President
The Catholic Women's League of Canada
1-160 Murray Park Road
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3X5

Dear Sheilah Pellerin:

RE: The World March of Women 2000

I have your letter of July 13, 2000. I take exception to a number of the comments you have made.

First, I think it is a great disservice to Catholicism in Canada, to have the Catholic Women's League (CWL) associated with the World March of Women 2000. I am aware that there is a division of opinion on this matter amongst Canada's bishops, as well as the laity. I side with those who argue against participation. I believe that by participating, the CWL lends legitimacy to an organization calling for abortion as a right and to equating homosexuality as the equivalent of heterosexuality.

Second, throughout my twelve years as Member of Parliament, it is my personal observation that the National Executive of the CWL, (as opposed to local CWL chapters) has been deafeningly silent in enunciating and lobbying for the Catholic position against abortion and for the sanctity of marriage as between a single male and a single female. Indeed, while my former colleague, Roseanne Skoke, was offered up as a sacrifice to those whose views are decidedly contrary to the Catholic Catechism, the CWL nationally was notably silent. Where was the CWL when a Catholic woman, being publicly pilloried for acting on her Catholic beliefs, called for help? The CWL nationally was invisible.

I suggest that it is easy to march against violence against women and women's poverty, evil as those matters are. Where are the CWL national marches protesting against the ultimate violence against women, the destruction of female babies in the womb? Where are the CWL national marches in support of the traditional family, as exemplified by the Holy Family itself? Where was the CWL nationally during the Annual March for Life held in Ottawa each May? It was nowhere.

Where is the CWL nationally urging the Government of Canada and Members of Parliament to initiate legislation and programs, which will address the issues of over 100,000 abortions per year, and the attacks on the traditional family? It is nowhere.

When I see you publicly and proudly addressing these issues from the Catholic Catechism's point of view, that is when I will begin to give credence to your voice on other issues. For my part, I will continue to urge and support my colleagues in the House of Commons for solutions to all issues relating to violence against women and poverty.

Yours very truly,

TOM WAPPEL, M.P.
Scarborough Southwest