Politicians, bishops rally tens of thousands at March for Life

January 23, 2012

Tens of thousands of pro-life activists braved raw, rainy weather in Washington, DC on January 23 to participate in the 39th annual March for Life.

“It's consistently one of the largest protests of the year in Washington,” an AP account of the event noted. Despite that fact, the March for Life is consistently ignored by the mainstream secular media.

Although the March for Life is not a partisan event, Republican political leaders dominated the speakers’ platform. “I’ve never considered being pro-life a label or a political position,” said Speaker of the House John Boehner. “It’s just who I am.” Congressman Chris Smith, leader of the pro-life caucus, told the predominantly young crowd that they represented “the greatest human-rights movement on earth.”

In an address delivered to a conference at Georgetown University on the day before the March, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia called attention to the fact that 80% of children diagnosed before birth as having Down Syndrome are aborted. “These children with disabilities are not a burden; they’re a priceless gift to all of us,” the archbishop said. He said that the quest to persuade Americans to recognize and protect the dignity of all human life is “a struggle within the American soul.”

On the eve of the March, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo celebrated Mass in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a congregation of over 10,000 people. He told the young people who had gathered for the March that they constitute a “good infection,” which will spread through American society.

 

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Further information:

• Boehner addresses abortion foes holding annual ‘March for Life’ rally, marking Roe anniversary (AP)
• Archbishop Chaput urges respect for life amid high disabled abortion rate (CNA)
• Young people the hope of pro-life movement, says Texas cardinal (CNA)