Montreal deacon facing child porn charges

Deacon William Kokesch

Deacon William Kokesch, a Montreal permanent deacon who served the Church for 10 years is facing child pornography charges. He was released on bail on December 27th after posting a $10,000 cash bond on the condition that he cannot use computers or be around anyone under 18 without adult supervision. The father of the five grown children will go to court with him on February 27th. Investigators had done a search on the Deacon's computer and had found over 2,000 child porn images.

This relates to Law 12 because it is about Canada, our country :) I chose this article in particular because it had to do with our Church and the national community. It is not just a scandal because it as adult posting child pornography but is intensified because he is a Deacon who serves the Church which greatly damages the Church's reputation.

http://bcc.rcav.org/canadian/2308-montreal-deacon-facing-child-porn-charges

Marriage better for women's health?

Marcelo Urquia, a scientist at St. Michael's hospital in Toronto conducted a study showing that women living in common-law arrangements were twice as likely as married women to experience either violence from their partners, substance abuse or depression post-childbirth. The study also showed that single, never-married women were more than three times as likely to experience at least one of these outcomes. The scientist compiled statistics showing that with women experiencing these outcomes, only 10.6 per cent of married women reported it, and 35 per cent of single, never married women has experienced one or more of the three issues. The worst result came from women who had separated or divorced during the 12 months before giving birth reporting that 67 per cent have experienced one or more of the three outcomes. Urquia says that this is information that doctors should take into account. He explains that "when a woman goes for her first prenatal visit, it is probably important to know whether this woman is married, co-habiting or single," and "if those questions aren't asked there is probably a missed opportunity to intervene and provide support and counselling."

This relates to our Law 12 class because we've just learned about marriage and divorce.
http://bcc.rcav.org/canadian/2276-marriage-better-for-womens-health

Hamilton father goes to court to defend parental rights

Left: Dr. Steve Tourloukis (left) and lawyer Alberto Polizogopoulos (right)

Dr. Steve Tourloukis, a dentist in Ontario is taking the Hamilton-Wentworth School Board to court to recognize his right to be informed when the classes will teach a part of the curriculum that is contradictory to his Christian faith. Tourloukis stated that he doesn't mind the well-known talk about "the birds and the bees". Though, age-appropriate descriptions should be taken to account especially when some of the students taking part in these discussions are ages six and eight, similar to his own children. Tourloukis asked that he be informed when the classes teach these parts, that his children be excused from class. The school board claimed that it would be too difficult to accommodate to his preferences though, he rebuttled using the example of those of Muslim religion. Muslims at the same school are able to miss PE classes or leave classes during discussions about Halloween or Christmas. Tourloukis states that “We have failed to recognize our sacred responsibility to our children and I will not be an accomplice in the corruption of my children.”

This relates to our law class because it talks about religious freedoms and it is also an example of civil law. Similar to the last post, religious freedoms is the cornerstone to all freedoms. I think the court should side with Tourloukis because his argument is understandable in comparison to those of the Muslim religion. If the school board is able to let the Muslim children leave during the discussions of holidays that aren't apart of their religion, it is similarly doable to allow Tourloukis' children to leave the room during discussions of sex. Considering their age as well, it is understandable for him to not want his children to know about sex at the level the school is teaching it at. 

http://bcc.rcav.org/canadian/2161-hamilton-father-goes-to-court-to-defend-parental-rights-in-education

Senate Speaker travels as ambassador of human rights and religious freedoms

Left: Noel Kinsella, Senate Speaker

Summary:
Noel Kinsella, a senate speaker travels to other countries when he's invited by his foreign counterparts from other countries to promote religious freedoms as well as human rights. Kinsella has had a life long interest in human rights. His focus gravitates towards the Christian minorities in Syria and Egypt who are facing persecution. As he works on that, he also works on bringing religious leaders and politicians together to promote tolerance and cooperation. It allows him to not only understand the government's story but also the individuals as well. The government says to Syria that religious freedom should be respected though Kinsella also says that religious freedoms is the cornerstone to all freedoms. Even when he isn't traveling, he brings religious leaders and politicians together. He holds meetings in the historic dining room in Centre Block often inviting visiting religious leaders to give them a chance to meet the Canadian counterparts.

This relates to Law 12 because in the previous unit, we were learning about human rights fundamental freedoms. This article talks about strengthening both those things by bringing leaders together to set examples for their countries. What Kinsella is doing is an effective way of fortifying the importance of our rights and freedoms. It not only affects Canadians but it also affects the other countries as well when he takes the extra step and travels outside of Canada to achieve those goals.

http://bcc.rcav.org/canadian/2114-senate-speaker-travels-as-ambassador-of-human-rights-and-religious-freedom