Pro-life doctor supported FLI from the very beginning

by NZ CATHOLIC staff
HAMILTON — A stalwart of the prolife effort in New Zealand, Dr Peter Scanlon, died on July 15, after a yearlong battle with illness. He was aged 48. Dr Scanlon leaves a wife, Maria, and
seven children.
Dame Colleen Bayer, the director of Family Life International NZ, in a tribute, said that Dr Scanlon and his wife Maria had supported and encouraged the work of Family Life International
NZ (FLI), since it began 22 years ago.

“Peter was a man of deep integrity, love and compassion, and whenever we invited him to speak at an FLI conference or youth seminar, he would always pray and fast before giving his
decision, which of course was always ‘Yes’, except in cases where he had family commitments.”
Mrs Bayer recalled an occasion at an FLI conference, when an emergency arose that required her to leave urgently and find a hurt young woman.
“I spoke to Dr Peter about the situation and he not only gave me the advice I needed, he organised things with his family, then hopped in the vehicle with his medical supplies and came with me on the hunt for this young lady who had had an encounter with drugs and prostitution and had gone missing.
“Without knowing what to expect, he came along and prayed until we found the young lady in the small hours of the next morning; he examined her and made sure she was medically all right, and he then stayed with us until we got the help of a very good priest.”
This was the calibre of a man who gave his life to the medical profession without compromise of his faith, Mrs Bayer wrote.
“He always found the time to teach the truth on matters of life, and especially the devastating effects of oral contraceptives on our young people.”
Another tribute came from the Fluoride Free movement. In a statement, the movement said he gave great presentations to New Plymouth, Hamilton and South Taranaki District Councils. He did a huge amount of research and ended up knowing more about fluoridation than almost anyone else in the country. His presentations were superb and a reason why New Plymouth and
Hamilton councils voted to stop fluoridation.
Dr Scanlon’s requiem Mass was held at Hamilton’s Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary on July 18, followed by interment at Newstead Cemetery.