Pro-life doctor recieves papal medal

Obstetrician accepts award on behalf of his organization

Dr. Robert Walley

A Newfoundland obstetrician received the Pope's highest honour Dec. 9 for his years of pro-life work around the world.

"Archbishop Martin W. Currie of St. John’s is pleased to announce that the Holy Father has awarded the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice to Doctor Robert Walley for his dedication to the cause of life and the health of women on a world-wide basis," the Archdiocese of St. John's said in a statement before Walley received the "Cross of Honour" from Archbishop Currie at a Mass at St. John's St. Pius X Church.

Walley is the founder of MaterCare International (MCA), which is comprised of Catholic obstetricians and gynaecologists carrying out the work of Blessed Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).

The organization works in developing countries to help at-risk pregnant mothers, while following Catholic teaching. According to LifeSiteNews.com, the organization, based in St. John's, has been denied funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) because it doesn't advance abortion and contraception.