Under-Reported

On January 19th, thousands of people from all over the USA will convene on the Mall in Washington, DC to witness to the sanctity of all human life in the Annual "March for Life." The March, which employs hundreds of bus coaches, high schooler and even younger students,college students, Gen X'ers, Boomers, and even older folks is a statement on behalf of the unborn.January 22 marks the sad 45th anniversary of the day when the US Supreme Court handed down a decision which de-criminalized abortion.

Although I have never physically participated, I was a prayer-partner especially to our Sisters who did brave the weather to march with thousands of others. Our Daughters of St. Paul sisters from Alexandria, Virginia usually always participate. Usually a few of our Sisters from New Orleans/Metairie join in the large contingent led by the Archbishop of New Orleans.The annual March is more of a pilgrimage which witnesses to the value of every single human life from conception to natural death. Thousands of Catholics and Christians of other denominations, as well as non-Christians make the many sacrifices entailed in getting to Washington for the March. Bus loads of high schoolers camp out in local high school gyms. When I served in our Alexandria, Virginia, Pauline Books & Media Center, I was impressed by the variety of locales represented by our March for Life visitors. One lady hailed from Kansas and stopped by our Center every year. From northeastern Ohio, my sister and her young adult daughter join in a bus trip sponsored by a local church. The group comprises Catholics and Protestants--all united to stand for life.

In this era when media can be focused for days on natural disasters, or political debates, it is mystifying to witness a bias, a deliberate downplaying of the magnitude of the March, the sheer number and variety and especially the youth of those thousands who sacrifice time, money, comfort and for some loss of pay to stand up to protect the unborn, and all stages of human life. Prayer vigils precede the March so that the people marching will have the strength to persevere, that the weather will be a bit more bearable, and that our laws may soon protect the unborn and the elderly from death at the hands of abortion providers or of physicians all too ready to administer "cost effective" medications to end the lives of the elderly, the depressed and mentally ill persons and those deemed too disabled to care for. I was alarmed to note that in the state of Massachusetts where health care is some of the best in the entire world, doctors who once protested against assisted suicide are now lobbying for it. A few days ago the Boston Globe published two articles side-by-side presenting the case for each position. The person explaining why he is against assisted suicide is a disabled person. I pray that the Bay State voters when given the opportunity, will vote for life, never against it! Whether we March for life, attend prayer vigils and Masses to promote respect for life at all its stages, we are raising awareness of the innocent blood that is shed every day in this country, in Canada and around the world. For those in Ireland and other countries facing ballot questions to push for legalized abortion, please speak out for life with your vote for life. For the Irish who suffered so long a persecution for their faith, here is an opportunity to defend the lives of the future of your country. In the Old Testament God said, "Choose life!" Let our words and actions teem with life: both spiritual and physical. God bless you!