March for Life 2012: a sign of hope for Canada

March for Life 2012

Canada's 15th annual March for Life 2012, held on May 10, had a record attendance of nearly 20,000 people. This encouraging number is surely a sign of hope for the future of Canada and for re-building the culture of life. What I found most inspiring was the fact that the crowd consisted of many young people who spoke, sang, cheered, walked and were there mostly to celebrate and defend the gift of life. Youth Co-ordinator Alissa Golob from Campaign Life Coalition introduced the significance if the rally and together with former Liberal MP Pat O'Brien emceed the event.

While the Prime Minister says that he will not re-open the abortion debate, those who marched for pro-life yesterday on Parliament Hill don't agree. I believe the day will soon come when we will as a nation realize that the protection of life from conception to natural death is the central issue of our times. How can a nation be great and good again when it will not defend those innocent and vulnerable future citizens in the womb?

Stella Ambler MP for the Conservatives addressed the crowd with these life-affirming words, "Thank you! For Marching for Life! For the babies whose lives were ended prematurely and for babies yet to be born! And, for their mothers! I am a mother.  Being my son’s and my daughter’s mom has been the most challenging, joy-giving, and, yes, occasionally frustrating, responsibility that I have ever taken on, bar none! And I’m thankful that my husband has been with me as we, together, try to give our children both roots and wings." She went on to say, "Today, like you, I am here to say that human life is precious – in fact, of infinite value. That human life begins at conception. I’m also here to say that, as with most Canadians, it does no Canadian credit that there is no law in Canada on abortion. Worse, there are those who say we should not even have a conversation. That is why it is my privilege, as a Member of Parliament, to support Motion 312, put forward by my friend and colleague, Stephen Woodworth. Stephen has started a conversation on when life begins and, you may have noticed, the sky is NOT falling! I hope you will join in this conversation and start conversations about Motion 312 with your friends, family, and loved ones."

There were other Tory MPs there such as Jeff Watson from Ontario, John Williamson from New Brunswick, Kevin Sorenson from Alberta, Brad Trost from Saskatchewan and Rod Bruinooge from Manitoba. A number of bishops were present as well, including Toronto Cardinal Thomas Collins and Bishop Nicola De Angelis of Peterborough. Bruce Clemenger as president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada told those present, "Science and medicine are teaching us more about the distinct personhood of the child in the womb. You have heard it said that the debate over the protection of the unborn is over. I say look at this crowd." A number of MPs did express their support for Stephen Woodworth's private member's motion to re-open the abortion debate and the moral question of when does human life start.

At the end of the march, the crowd assembled again to listen to a number of speakers from the Silent No More Campaign. These personal stories reveal the horrible moral harm caused by abortion to the parents, our society and to our love of God who created all life. It was a wonderful experience to be together with others to pray, to walk and to be a witness for life. We travelled to the event with parishioners from St. Benedict Parish who have had a bus going there for a number of years. Why not for 2013 organize a bus for the march in your parish? You'll be helping to build a culture of life in Canada, one life at a time.

March for Life 2012

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