Toronto, ON May 9, 2016 – The Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) is pleased to announce that it has chosen anti-euthanasia/assisted suicide activist Alex Schadenberg as winner of this year’s Archbishop Adam Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life. The award will be presented at the CCRL’s annual Spring Dinner on June 2 in Toronto, featuring a keynote address by Douglas Farrow, Professor of Christian Thought at McGill University and holder of the Kennedy Smith Chair in Catholic Studies.
CCRL President Phil Horgan confirmed the League’s selection:
While our country may be moving in a sad direction so as to accept physician assisted killing, Alex Schadenberg has been tireless in his advocacy for the affirmation of life and of sustaining the Hippocratic tradition in health care. He speaks for the disabled, for the vulnerable, for healthcare workers, and for so many of us with a genuine zeal for a life affirming approach, even at the end of our lives. The CCRL is delighted to recognize the ongoing work of Alex Schadenberg with the Archbishop Exner Award for Excellence in Catholic Public Witness.
For Spring Dinner tickets, please email ccrl@ccrl.ca or call 416-466-8244 or 1-844-722-CCRL
Schadenberg, a long-time supporter of the CCRL, said:
I am thankful to the Catholic Civil Rights League for their recognition of my commitment to protecting human lives. While we live in difficult times, we also live in a time where we are all challenged to defend truth and to truly care for others. I am also thankful to the many people who have supported the EPC and my work. They have enabled me to make a difference.
About Alex Schadenberg
Schadenberg has been the Executive Director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) since July 1999 and the Chair of EPC – International since November 2007. His articles are published regularly in domestic and foreign newspapers and his blog www.alexschadenberg.blogspot.com is the world’s most widely read on issues related to euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Alex has spoken against euthanasia and assisted suicide in Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Belgium and Italy as well as in many US states.
Under his leadership the EPC organized international symposia on euthanasia and assisted suicide in Toronto, Washington, and Vancouver.
The EPC cohosted European symposia on euthanasia and assisted suicide in Edinburgh and Dublin.
Alex published the book Exposing Vulnerable People to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, which was reprinted by Connor Publishing in Australia. The second edition will be available soon.
Alex and Susan live in Glencoe, Ontario. They have been married for 25 years and are raising 6 children.
About the Archbishop Exner Award
The CCRL established the Archbishop Exner Award in 2004 to honour Archbishop Adam Exner, OMI, Archbishop Emeritus of Vancouver, upon his retirement and to recognize outstanding achievement in advocacy, education, life issues, media and culture, and philanthropy. Previous recipients include:
Dr. Donald DeMarco, scholar, writer, seminary professor, and pro-life activist (2015)
Gwen Landolt, long time national Vice-President of REAL Women of Canada, pro- life advocate, promotor of the family in national and international circles (2014)
Fr. Alphonse de Valk, CSB, pro-life activist, writer and editor (2013)
Michael D. O’Brien, artist and author, for creative work incorporating authentic Catholicism and Catholic teaching (2012)
Michael Coren, author and broadcaster, for his outspoken defense of Catholicism in media (2011)
Suzanne LaVallee of Quebec for leadership in education (2010)
The late Frank Chauvin of Windsor, Ontario, founder of Haiti’s first orphanage for girls and initiator of an application for review of the process by which Henry Morgentaler was awarded the Order of Canada (2009)
Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Joan Simone of Toronto, co-founders of Canadian Food for Children, for services to philanthropy and international aid (2008)
Campaign Life Coalition President Jim Hughes of Toronto for service to the pro-life movement (2007)
J. Fraser Field of Vancouver, founder of Catholic Educators’ Resource Centre, for service to education (2006)
The late Regina business leader Frederick W. Hill for philanthropy and community service (2005)
About the CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (CCRL) (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. The CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization with a large nationwide membership base. The CCRL is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.
For further information:
Christian Domenic Elia, PhD
CCRL Executive Director
416-466-8244
@CCRLtweets