Toronto, ON June 26, 2020 – On May 21, 2020, the League asked its supporters and friends to fulfil the wishes of Dr. Robert Walley, 2017 recipient of the CCRL’s Archbishop Adam Exner Award for Catholic Excellence in Public Life, for prayers following his terminal cancer diagnosis. We now ask for prayers for the repose of his soul.

Dr. Walley will be laid to rest in St. John’s, NL tomorrow.

Through his work in Africa’s developing nations, Dr. Walley has saved the lives of thousands of mothers and their babies from the tragic implications of obstetric fistula, an avoidable condition exacerbated in Africa by the lack of quality maternal healthcare present in developed nations. This work continues through MaterCare International, which he founded.

Please continue to pray for his wife of 54 years Susan Mary, who has been living in a long-term care facility.

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:

Fr. Anthony Van Hee, SJ, prolife activist through prayerful protest (2019)

Dr. Catherine Ferrier, Catholic physician, Physicians’ Alliance against Euthanasia (2018)

Dr. Robert Walley, founder of MaterCare International (2017)

Alex Schadenberg, anti-euthanasia/assisted suicide activist (2016)

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, promoter 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)

Suzanne LaVallee of Quebec for leadership in education (2010)

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)

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)

We appeal to any of you not financially impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, who may wish to accomplish more almsgiving by sending a donation to the CCRL by clicking here or by mailing a cheque to the CCRL at 2305 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P1, or by calling the office at (416) 466-8244 or 1-844-722-CCRL.


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.

To donate to the CCRL, please click here.

For further information:

Christian Domenic Elia, PhD
CCRL Executive Director
416-466-8244
@CCRLtweets