Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
This week, the pro-life movement makes history. Dr. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., Black leaders from around the country, and the Pastoral Team of Priests for Life will lead the nation's first Freedom Rides for the Unborn. With the full support of the Catholic bishop of Birmingham and local pastors of other denominations, a rally and prayer vigil will take place, followed by the ride to Atlanta and a prayer service at Dr. King's tomb.
Along with the ride, which is a symbol of the movement advancing to the goal of equal protection for the children in the womb, this event is an opportunity for pro-life people to declare themselves "Freedom Riders for the Unborn" by participating in simultaneous activities nationwide. These activities are the start of the 10StepsToEndAbortion.com initiative of Priests for Life. People who commit to do these activities will receive a Freedom Rides button and access to ongoing training in the activities that are listed. An online Pro-Life University (to be located at www.ProLifeUniversity.org) is in the works in conjunction with the 10-step plan.
In the context of the Freedom Rides, Priests for Life is also releasing the results of focus group work and national polling which it commissioned "the polling company/Woman Trend" to carry out this Spring. This research probed the attitudes of African-Americans toward abortion and the best pro-life messaging for that community.
The Freedom Rides will also mark the release of an anthem for the pro-life movement. Just as the Civil Rights movement used "We Shall Overcome" to express its heart and soul, so the pro-life movement now has a simple but moving song, "The Least of These," written by a well-established Christian music artist, who has captured the essence of pro-life activism in all its variety. You can listen to the song at www.ProLifeFreedomRides.com.
This week, let's recommit ourselves to "proclaim liberty to the captives," and to set the unborn free from abortion.
THE LEAST OF THESE
Jamie Owens Collins
We will pray for the least of these
For the child in the womb, we fall down on our knees
We will pray for the least of these
To be loved and accepted
Safe and protected
We will pray for the least of these
We will speak for the least of these
A voice for the voiceless, the babe no one sees
We will speak for the least of these
That eyes may be opened
Hard hearts may be broken
We will speak for the least of these
We will stand for the least of these
We will reach out our hands to their parents in need
We will stand for the least of these
Bring help to the helpless
Hope to the hopeless
We will stand for the least of these
To be loved and accepted
Safe and protected
That eyes may be opened
Hard hearts may be broken
We will stand for the least of these
We will stand for the least…. of these
©2009 Fairhill Music, Inc.
This column can be found online at www.priestsforlife.org/articles/document.aspx?id=3245
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