Washington, DC (July 2008) – In the wake of a nationwide controversy, Canadian Catholic religious are returning their Order of Canada medals after the country’s highest honor was given to Dr. Henry Morgentaler, known as Canada's "father of abortion."

"Thank God these courageous defenders of the faith are taking a stand against this defilement of Canada’s most prestigious award," said Judie Brown, president of American Life League, an organization with many supporters in Canada. "Without religious leaders like these, we would have little hope of overcoming the great evil of abortion."

Morgentaler, who was awarded the medal last week, flaunted the law in 1969 by opening an illegal abortion mill, and became the Canadian pro-abortion movement's leading voice until the Canadian Supreme Court legalized the killing of preborn children in 1988.

To date, the Madonna House, a Catholic lay community in Combermere, Ontario has returned a medal awarded to their founder, Catherine Doherty. Father Lucien Larre, a priest in British Columbia named to the order 25 years ago, also mailed his medal back, according to the Canadian Press.

Sister Margaret Smith, who received the award in 2007 for her healthcare work in Northern Ontario, may be the third. She told the Canadian Press she was "profoundly shocked and saddened" when she heard Morgentaler would receive the award.

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