Canada’s pro-life march shows growing movement

Last updated on: May 11, 2013 at 10:02 pm by CNA Daily News

Canada’s pro-life march shows growing movement 2013-05-11T22:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ottawa, Canada, May 11, 2013 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The 16th National March for Life drew to Ottawa thousands of pro-life Canadians who advocated legal protections for all unborn people, with a special focus this year on sex-selective abortion.

“The culture of life is alive, it’s loud, and it’s growing,” Matt Wojciechowski, spokesman for the Campaign Life Coalition, told CNA.

“The march was an amazing, amazing event,” he added. “It was very inspiring to see the never-ending crowds.”

Between 20,000 and 25,000 pro-life advocates gathered on Parliament Hill in the Canadian capital on May 9.

The youth contingent was “definitely a large presence,” Wojciechowski said, estimating that about 90 percent of attendees were under 35. About 1,000 students attended a pro-life conference in Ottawa on Friday.

About 20 Canadian Ministers of Parliament and a Senator attended the event, as did Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa and Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec City. Representatives from other Christian churches were also in attendance.

This year’s event focused on the targeting of unborn girls for abortion, a practice common in India and China. Pro-lifers deem the practice “gendercide.”

“Sex-selective abortions are happening in Canada. That has become quite an issue,” Wojciechowski said.

He charged that Canada’s ruling government had “completely rejected” attempts to discuss the issue.

“We’re standing up for the pre-born, both male and female, no matter how small or how old,” he said. “There’s an added emphasis on saving baby girls from sex-selective abortions because they are targeted.”

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family, in an April 22 statement released ahead of the March for Life, characterized sex-selective abortion as “a war on girls” fueled by “deeply held cultural biases” in favor of male heirs. It said that in some Canadian communities there are 120 boys for every 100 girls because of targeted abortion.

“The overwhelming majority of Canadians are offended by the thought that a female could be targeted for abortion just because she is, in fact, female,” the organization said. “Let us march in the name of equality, in the name of female equality and of human equality.”

Wojciechowski said media coverage of the March for Life had improved since last year. However, he lamented the lack of political attention to abortion law in general.

“Politically, the government is refusing to discuss this issue. They’re refusing to acknowledge the human being in the womb,” he said. “They think it’s a losing issue. They don’t want to stand up for life.”

Wojciechowski emphasized that the pro-life movement in Canada is growing. “People are getting involved. Not just at marches once a year. They’re getting involved at the grassroots level.”

He encouraged others to become active in their families and talk about pro-life issues over the dinner table with their children, siblings and friends. He said a family focus will then encourage a natural progress in society.

“Family is the solid nucleus of our society. If the family doesn’t discuss this issue, we can’t expect any changes,” Wojciechowski said.

Americas

Previous Post

May 11, 2013

Abuse report finds few allegations against clergy in 2012

Next Post

May 12, 2013 Martyrdom of Pope St. John I remembered May 18

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was primary method of land transfer?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Verbal agreement Witness testimony Written deed Oath