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At least, not in Toronto.
Keep 'pro-life' politics out of manger display, city says
Brendan Kennedy
The nativity scene in front of Old City Hall is a 13-year tradition. But this year, a plaque paying tribute to “Pro Life hero” Father Ted Colleton was added, sparking complaints. The plaque has been ordered removed by the city.
Baby Jesus can stay, but the anti-abortion message has to go.
That's what the city told the Roman Catholic group behind the nativity scene at the Old City Hall courthouse Wednesday. The Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures are a 13-year tradition, but not the new plaque paying tribute to a "Pro Life hero."
"You've got an overtly political group that's getting a city endorsement of their agenda," said Doug Macdonald, an East York resident who complained in writing to his councillor, Sandra Bussin, and to Mayor David Miller. "And here we are putting their political message in front of the courthouse."
Macdonald said in an interview he's not offended by a glass-enclosed, two-metre-high scene – but by Campaign Life Coalition's sponsorship plaque stating it was donated "in honour of Pro Life hero Fr. Ted Colleton."
Colleton, a retired priest and anti-abortion activist, was arrested more than a dozen times for civil disobedience – most famously for padlocking Henry Morgentaler's Harbord St. clinic in 1985.
The Campaign Life Coalition describes itself as "the political wing of the pro-life movement in Canada" and lobbies politicians to outlaw abortions. Its Catholic wing donated the nativity to Gethsemane Ministries, a non-profit Catholic charity, to display on the lawn of the courthouse at Queen and Bay Sts.
The city ordered Gethsemane Ministries founder Suresh Dominic, who also works as a project manager for Campaign Life Coalition, to remove the plaque .
"I don't understand why a molehill is made into a mountain," he said on his cellphone while on his way to remove the plaque. "I have no problem taking down the plaque, but I'm wondering how this is offending people."
Dominic's group has put up the nativity at Old City Hall since 2006. Before then, the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild was behind it. They first erected the scene in 1996, according to the city.
This year was the first time the nativity scene was sponsored by the Campaign Life Coalition and the first time any sign appeared, which, the city said, was not approved when Gethsemane Ministries applied for a permit.
"They've been doing this for 13 years the same way and this year, year 14, they added the sign without notifying staff," wrote city spokeswoman Cindy Bromley in an email. "It is being remedied."
Dominic said the nativity scene donated to his group by the lawyers' guild was vandalized two years ago and had to be replaced. Last year, the ministries rented a manger scene, but this year sought donors. The coalition's Catholic wing stepped forward with $5,000.
"It could be anybody donating the statue," Dominic said, adding that "there's nothing political" about the nativity scene.
"Of course, if somebody donates something, you have to give credit to them," he said. "Nobody else came forward with the money ... People don't appreciate any goodness. I'm really terribly confused here," he said, adding that the nativity scene was donated in honour of a retired priest, "not a politician."
Macdonald, 35, said he was glad to see the city take quick action on removing the plaque and that Dominic's group was accountable.
"It's nice to see that Christmas stays politics-free," he said.
Councillors queried about how the ideological message could have slipped through the cracks said the city doesn't have the resources to inspect every public installation.
"A lot of things in the city now are complaint-driven just because of resources of staff," Bussin said.
Councillor Joe Mihevc said a nativity scene is welcome in public places, as are symbols from other religions.
"I do think, however, a political line is crossed when you try to introduce a more political – and a more politically controversial – message in a public square."
Asked to comment Wednesday, a Campaign Life Coalition representative said Dominic could speak on the group's behalf.
Brendan Kennedy
The nativity scene in front of Old City Hall is a 13-year tradition. But this year, a plaque paying tribute to “Pro Life hero” Father Ted Colleton was added, sparking complaints. The plaque has been ordered removed by the city.
Baby Jesus can stay, but the anti-abortion message has to go.
That's what the city told the Roman Catholic group behind the nativity scene at the Old City Hall courthouse Wednesday. The Jesus, Mary and Joseph figures are a 13-year tradition, but not the new plaque paying tribute to a "Pro Life hero."
"You've got an overtly political group that's getting a city endorsement of their agenda," said Doug Macdonald, an East York resident who complained in writing to his councillor, Sandra Bussin, and to Mayor David Miller. "And here we are putting their political message in front of the courthouse."
Macdonald said in an interview he's not offended by a glass-enclosed, two-metre-high scene – but by Campaign Life Coalition's sponsorship plaque stating it was donated "in honour of Pro Life hero Fr. Ted Colleton."
Colleton, a retired priest and anti-abortion activist, was arrested more than a dozen times for civil disobedience – most famously for padlocking Henry Morgentaler's Harbord St. clinic in 1985.
The Campaign Life Coalition describes itself as "the political wing of the pro-life movement in Canada" and lobbies politicians to outlaw abortions. Its Catholic wing donated the nativity to Gethsemane Ministries, a non-profit Catholic charity, to display on the lawn of the courthouse at Queen and Bay Sts.
The city ordered Gethsemane Ministries founder Suresh Dominic, who also works as a project manager for Campaign Life Coalition, to remove the plaque .
"I don't understand why a molehill is made into a mountain," he said on his cellphone while on his way to remove the plaque. "I have no problem taking down the plaque, but I'm wondering how this is offending people."
Dominic's group has put up the nativity at Old City Hall since 2006. Before then, the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild was behind it. They first erected the scene in 1996, according to the city.
This year was the first time the nativity scene was sponsored by the Campaign Life Coalition and the first time any sign appeared, which, the city said, was not approved when Gethsemane Ministries applied for a permit.
"They've been doing this for 13 years the same way and this year, year 14, they added the sign without notifying staff," wrote city spokeswoman Cindy Bromley in an email. "It is being remedied."
Dominic said the nativity scene donated to his group by the lawyers' guild was vandalized two years ago and had to be replaced. Last year, the ministries rented a manger scene, but this year sought donors. The coalition's Catholic wing stepped forward with $5,000.
"It could be anybody donating the statue," Dominic said, adding that "there's nothing political" about the nativity scene.
"Of course, if somebody donates something, you have to give credit to them," he said. "Nobody else came forward with the money ... People don't appreciate any goodness. I'm really terribly confused here," he said, adding that the nativity scene was donated in honour of a retired priest, "not a politician."
Macdonald, 35, said he was glad to see the city take quick action on removing the plaque and that Dominic's group was accountable.
"It's nice to see that Christmas stays politics-free," he said.
Councillors queried about how the ideological message could have slipped through the cracks said the city doesn't have the resources to inspect every public installation.
"A lot of things in the city now are complaint-driven just because of resources of staff," Bussin said.
Councillor Joe Mihevc said a nativity scene is welcome in public places, as are symbols from other religions.
"I do think, however, a political line is crossed when you try to introduce a more political – and a more politically controversial – message in a public square."
Asked to comment Wednesday, a Campaign Life Coalition representative said Dominic could speak on the group's behalf.
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