FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May
12, 2008
Contact: Fr. John Lemire, Chairman, Priests for Life Canada
Tel:
705-647-5035
E-mail:
frjohn@priestsforlifecanada.com
PRIESTS FOR LIFE CANADA SELECTS A NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Following the sudden death of Fr. James Whalen on Sunday, February 24,
2008 while conducting a parish pro-life mission in Thorold, Ontario,
Priests for Life Canada has chosen a new director to lead its
twelve-member Board. Rev. Fr. Thomas A. Lynch is not new to the pro-life
movement. He has been directly involved in advocating for the rights of
individuals for the past 30 years.
Priests for Life Canada, an organization of both clergy and laity
dedicated to advancing the sanctity of life in Canada, has been a
registered charity in operation since 1995. Soon after getting its start
in the Diocese of Pembroke, Ontario, its head office was set up in
Ottawa after Archbishop Marcel Gervais recommended Fr. Jim Whalen as
National Director. Until his death, Fr. Jim acted as both pastor of St.
Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Cumberland, Ontario, as well as the
director of Priests for Life Canada. Fr. Jim’s dedication to both the
priesthood and to Priests for Life Canada over its thirteen years of
operation has enabled it to reach out to thousands of clergy, bishops,
Catholic students, and parishioners with its message that human life is
sacred and worthy of protection from the moment of conception to natural
death.
Fr. Tom was born in Lindsay, Ontario, on July 29, 1957, and ordained to
the Catholic priesthood in the Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario, on May
25, 1984. He brings with him an impressive background of knowledge and
expertise to move the organization forward. His extensive knowledge and
experience has made him a popular advocate, lecturer, and teacher in the
area of family and life. Some of his involvements include: Member,
Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops Project on Bioethics and Its
Effect on the Family in the 1980's (1979-1984); Ethics Consultant,
Archdiocese of Toronto; Ontario Catholic Conference of Bishops; Canadian
Catholic Conference of Bishops (1994-2006); Chaplain, Toronto Catholic
Doctors' Guild; Advisor, Thomas More Lawyers' Guild of Toronto
(1994-2003); Member, Ethics Committee, St. Joseph's Hospital,
Peterborough, Ontario (1995-1997); Lecturer in Moral Theology; extensive
involvement with St. Augustine's Seminary in Scarborough, Ontario, as
Professor of Theology and where he taught Bioethics, Sexuality, and
Marriage, and Papal Teaching on Social Justice. At St. Paul’s
University, Ottawa, Ontario, he taught Sexual Issues and Catholic
Morality, Bioethics, and Introduction to Moral Theology.
Fr. Tom’s experience in media work will also benefit the organization.
In addition to approximately 150 interviews, Fr. Tom acted as Media
spokesperson for: Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Ontario
Catholic Conference of Bishops, the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Diocese
of Peterborough, and St. Augustine’s Seminary. His professional
associations include: Canadian Bioethics Society, Federation of Seminary
Spiritual Directors, and Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute.
Fr. Tom was elected to the position of National Director on Thursday,
May 8, 2008, a day when thousands gathered on Parliament Hill to bring
attention to the lack of any laws protecting the unborn child throughout
its nine months of life in the womb. It was this day as well that
Campaign Life Coalition, organizer of the rally, dedicated the events
efforts in honour of recently deceased National Director of Priests for
Life Canada, Fr. James Whalen.
One of his first actions as National Director was to take part in the
rally. He also wasted no time and took immediate action to fill
vacancies that existed on the board by nominating Fr. John A. Lemire
(Diocese of Timmins, Ontario) as Chairman and Fr. Bernard Vollozo
(Archdiocese of Toronto, Ontario) as Secretary. Also joining the Board
is recently ordained, Fr. Kevin Belgrave of the Toronto Archdiocese and
John Nemanic (to be ordained in June, 2008, to the Diocese of Calgary).
In addition to his role as National Director, Fr. Tom also continues to
serve as pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Douro, Ontario, under
the direction of the Bishop of Peterborough, Most Rev. Nicola De
Angelis. Fr. Tom plans to use his extensive knowledge and resources
within the Catholic community to advance the purpose and aims of Priests
for Life Canada. Further information on the organization can be
obtained by calling 1-888-300-2007 or at:
www.PriestsForLifeCanada.com.
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For more information regarding this press release or to interview Fr.
Tom Lynch:
[Please contact mikevw@priestsforlifecanada for print-quality photos]
Fr. Tom Lynch,
National Director: Tel: 705-652-3231;
Fax: 705-652-3740;
E-mail:
nd@priestsforlifecanada.com
For a
complete Curriculum Vitae on Fr. Thomas A. Lynch, National Director,
see:
http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/fr_lynch_cv.pdf
Other new members on the board:
Fr.
John Lemire,
Chairman: Tel: 705-647-5035;
Fax:
705-647-5037;
E-mail:
frjohn@priestsforlifecanada.com
For a
complete Curriculum Vitae on Fr. John A. Lemire, Chairman,
see:
http://www.priestsforlifecanada.com/fr_lemire_cv.pdf
Fr.
Bernard Vellozo, Secretary, Toronto Archdiocese
E-mail:
frbernard@priestsforlifecanada.com
