Ontario Celebrates Karol Wojtyła Day

by | March 28, 2014

Shield_of_arms_-_Ontario_Leg

On April 2, 2014, Ontarians, whether they are aware of it or not, will mark the first Karol Wojtyła (aka Pope John Paul II) day in Ontario.

Bill 72, Pope John Paul II Day Act, 2014 was passed in what appears to be unseemly haste:

On May 30, 2013, Bill 72 was ordered referred to Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

On March 17, 2014, Ms. Dipika Damerla, the member from Mississauga East–Cooksville, moved

that the May 30, 2013, order of the House referring Bill 72, An Act to proclaim Pope John Paul II Day to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills be discharged and that the order for third reading of Bill 72 be immediately called and the question put on the motion for third reading of the bill without debate or amendment.

Damerla’s motion was passed.

On March 25, the Act to proclaim Pope John Paul II Day received “Royal Assent.” God Save the Queen!

April 2, 2014 will be a sad day for Ontario: a day of mourning for the separation of church and state in Ontario. Despite the official statement,

The legacy of Pope John Paul II reflects his lifelong commitment to international understanding, peace and the defence of equality and human rights.  His legacy has an all-embracing meaning that is particularly relevant to Canada’s multi-faith and multicultural traditions and experience.

John Paul II’s record as leader of the Catholic Church

is full of scandal and poor management. Barbara Blaine, head of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) group, points out, “In more than 25 years as the most powerful religious figure on the planet, John Paul II did almost nothing to safeguard kids.”
Pope John Paul vigorously supported the Catholic Church’s opposition to contraception, abortion and homosexuality. He personally intervened to advise Jean Chretien against introducing legislation to allow same-sex marriage. His edicts against condom use undermined worldwide public health efforts to control the spread of AIDS.

April 2, 2014 and every year hereafter, will be a day of shame for the Ontario Legislature. The Ontario Human Rights Code has been compromised: Ontario has elevated one religious leader over all others and elevated one religion over all others.

8 thoughts on “Ontario Celebrates Karol Wojtyła Day

  1. billybob

    Is John Paul II going to be named the patron saint of paedophiles?

    Reply
  2. Malcolm Buchanan

    We must come up with an appropriate idea or theme on how to celebrate Pope John Paul 11 Day. Must use the Day to highlight the injustices inflicted on humanity by the Catholic Church under Wojtkla’s reign as pope.

    Media announcement should be published on every April 1 stating that citizens should reflect on the injustices inflicted on humanity by the Catholic Church under the reign of Pope John Paul 11 on April 2. Lets make it a day to celebrate freedom from religion.

    Reply
    1. billybob

      “reflect on the injustices inflicted on humanity by the Catholic Church under the reign of Pope John Paul 11”

      If you list them that would not be a media release but a book.

      Reply
  3. Randy

    Fortunately federal Pope Day is still in the Senate, and will miss this year’s “Pope Day”, unless they ram it through (“sober second thought”) and get the GG to sign it.

    It doesn’t appear that there was any debate on 3rd reading, which is shameful. Was there a recorded vote?

    Reply
    1. Veronica Abbass Post author

      There was no recorded vote because the Bill passed with “unanimous consent.”

      Reply
  4. Malcolm Buchanan

    I would suggest that as many as us make the effort to write a letter to our respective news papers stating a proposal how the public should celebrate Pope John Paul 11 Day.

    A draft of such a letter could be:

    I intend to celebrate Pope John Paul 11 Day by reflecting on the Roman Catholic Churches injustices inflicted on humanity under the stewardship of Pope John Paul 11. Under this popes reign womens’ advancement within the church were stymied; systematic cover up of sexual abuse to minors by Catholic priests and laymen; gays and lesbians as dysfunctional and perverted beings; opposed same sex marriage; contributed to the spread of AIDs by condemning the use of condoms; opposed the right of women to abortions and opposed the ‘liberation movements’ of Latin American populations.

    This is how I’m going to celebrate April 2

    Reply
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