March for Life

The Annual March for Life held in Washington DC on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, is more than meets the eye.

Under the experienced leadership of Miss Nellie Gray, this event is actually a series of educational workshops, inspirational gatherings, and a beautiful dinner. This year, the March itself will be held on Monday, January 24. But on the 22nd and 23rd, there will be a Convention, featuring speakers, workshops, and exhibit booths. Among the speakers will be Norma McCorvey, the former Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade, who later became pro-life and whom I had the privilege of confirming in the Catholic Church in August of 1998.

The March for Life Education and Defense Fund (www.marchforlife.org) publishes an instructional Report each year, which enunciates the "Life Principles." This is the heart and soul of the annual March, and these principles are the following:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all human beings are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which is the right to life; and therefore

• "The right to life of each human being shall be preserved and protected by every human being in the society and by the society as a whole;
• The life of each human being shall be preserved and protected from that human being's biological beginning when the father's sperm fertilizes the mother's ovum;
• The life of each human being shall be preserved and protected from the biological beginning throughout the natural continuum of that human being's life by all available ordinary means and reasonable efforts;
• The life of each human being shall be preserved and protected at each stage of the life continuum to the same extent as at each and every other stage regardless of state of health or condition of dependency;
• The life of each human being shall be preserved and protected to the same extent as the life of each and every other human being regardless of state of health or condition of dependency;
• When there is any doubt that there exists a human being's life to preserve and protect, such doubt shall be resolved in favor of the existence of a human being;
• When two or more human beings are in a situation in which their lives are mutually endangered, all available ordinary means and reasonable efforts shall be used to preserve and protect the life of each and every human being so endangered;
• Wherefore, Pursuant to these Principles, we recommend and urge the adoption of a Mandatory Human Life Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America."

As we observe another anniversary of the Supreme Court's most deadly decision, let us join in the March for Life as best we can: if not in Washington, then in our own cities; if not physically, then spiritually. In all cases, let's resolve to continue our march throughout the year by practicing and proclaiming the Life Principles.