Spirits high, crowds huge in DC for 38th March for Life
January 24, 2011
Braving bitter cold in Washington, DC, and virtually ignored by America’s mainstream media, hundreds of thousands of pro-life activists joined in the 38th March for Life.
At a rally on the Mall before the March itself began, enthusiastic participants heard members of the newly installed Republican majority in the House of Representatives pledge their support for the pro-life cause. “Without respect for life, freedom is in jeopardy,” said the Speaker of the House, John Boehner.
Rep. Eric Cantor, the majority leader, told the cheering crowd that a bid to ban taxpayer funding for abortion would be the “number one priority” for Republicans in the House. Democratic majorities have steadily advanced abortion funding in past years, he said, but “now the tide has turned.”
An estimated 10,000 people had packed the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for a vigil Mass on the evening before the March. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of Houston, the chairman of the US bishops’ pro-life committee, was the main celebrant; 4 other cardinals and 39 bishops concelebrated with hundreds of priests. Remarking on the heavy proportion of young people in the congregation, Cardinal DiNardo said: “We your elders become exhausted just watching you.”
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Further information:
- GOP House Leader at March for Life: permanent ban on taxpayer funding of abortion top priority (LifeSite News)
- 5 Cardinals, 39 Bishops, 10,000 faithful pack basilica for Vigil for Life Mass (LifeSite News)
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