Wednesday, January 22 will mark the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade:
a 7 to 2 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that found a woman's right to
an abortion fell within the right to privacy protected by the
Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Justices'
decision invalidated all state laws restricting access to abortion in
the first trimester of pregnancy. They also said states were allowed to
regulate second trimester abortions in ways related to maternal health,
and permitted third trimester abortion restrictions, including the
ability of states to outlaw them.
Since
this unjust and immoral decision there have been numerous debates over
abortion and the definition of human life. Polls continue to show
cultural divide over the issue with a greater percentage moving towards
the pro-life position. In 2011, 92 measures to protect life were enacted
in 24 states. The following year, 43 pro-life bills were enacted in 19
states. And in 2013, 70 new bills in 22 states increased protections for
women and the preborn in the womb. Moreover, 20 states so far have
restricted abortion coverage through the state health insurance
exchanges mandated by the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). These events
prompted an unexpected proclamation by Time Magazine a year ago that "The Pro-Life movement is winning."
The March for Life in our nation's capital began on January 22, 1974 and marked the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
That first March for Life rallied around 20,000 people on the west
steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. An estimated 225,000 marched on the
25th anniversary in 1998, and last year on the 40th anniversary it was
estimated that over a half million people gathered in the National Mall
to show their opposition to the murder of the most innocent of the human
family -- the preborn child.
Although
it is consistently unreported by the national news media, the March for
Life in D.C. has annually grown in size, influence and in public
recognition. One of the most noticeable characteristics about the rally
is the age and gender of the participants. A greater number of young
people, particularly women, are actively engaged in the debate. They are
passionate, vocal and dedicated to the defense of human life; they
believe that abortion is morally wrong and bad for our society. Polls
reveal that 53% of those between the ages of 18 and 34 consider abortion
morally wrong with estimates of 24% and higher believing abortion is
wrong in all circumstances. These numbers are far from what we can call a
victory, but clearly, the tide is shifting.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Shenan J. Boquet
President, Human Life International
Premiering
the same week as the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., Human
Life International's new documentary "Central America and Mexico:
Fighting for Life, Faith and Family" exposes the well-funded assault on
the people and culture of the region from NGOs and foreign governments -
including the United States.
Read More...
Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage
|
If you still haven't seen Fr. Boquet and Fr. West's appearance on "EWTN
Live" last week to discuss the From Ocean to Ocean Pilgrimage in
Defense of Life with the pilgrim icon of Our Lady Czestochowa, you can
watch the full interview here.
