Each year in Washington DC, USA, one of the world's biggest annual civil rights rallies takes place on the 22nd January and is ignored by most of the media and political figures in the US and beyond. It is of course the March for Life which takes place on the anniversary of the Roe v Wade judgement which legalised abortion on demand.
I am edified reading the reports, usually from Catholic and pro-life sources, and I see the numbers are growing, not only in number, but also in age - the protestors are getting younger each year. As statistics show us, the young are ardently pro-life in the USA, and are prepared to take to the streets in defence of the unborn. Someone once said that this wonderful development emerges from a realisation on the part of Americans born post Roe v Wade, that they are the survivors of a pro-abortion regime.
Another wonderful dimension of the March is the role the Catholic Church plays. In the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception a Mass is offered the evening before the March, the huge basilica is packed to capacity as a large number of bishops and priests offer a Mass for Life. The basilica is left open all night and those marchers who could not get accommodation for the night sleep in the church - marvellous! How fitting: the Mother of God provides hospitality for her children who have come to bear witness to the Gospel of Life.
As we in Ireland totter towards the introduction of abortion, probably on demand practically speaking, we should look Stateside to see how the pro-life movement has managed to win the hearts of the young and may finally see the beginning of the end of the greatest evil known to humanity. The Church in Ireland should also take note and prepare to take its place on the side of the pro-life movement.
We may have our own anniversary in a few years time and it should be marked with sorrow, reparation, determination and prayer.
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