Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 30, 2002
Marchers come to Washington to tell `the truth about abortion'
WASHINGTON (CNS) — In the shadow of the Washington Monument, tens of thousands of marchers gathered to hear a diverse collection of political and religious leaders focused on one goal Jan. 22.
"We are here to tell America the truth about abortion," said Nellie Gray, founder of the annual March for Life.
At the 29th annual observance of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions legalizing abortion, President George W. Bush spoke to the marchers via telephone from West Virginia, where he was visiting a manufacturing plant to talk about the economy.
"This marks 30 years of marching for life," he said, "a great example of an inspiring commitment.
"Everybody there believes, as I do, that every life is valuable," he continued, "that our society has a responsibility to defend the vulnerable and weak, the imperfect and even unwanted; and that our nation should set a great goal — that unborn children should be welcomed in life and protected in law.
"Life should never be used as a tool or a means to an end," he said.
The president spoke of legislation he has backed and political actions he had taken to further the pro-life cause. But he drew the loudest applause when he reconfirmed his commitment to banning human cloning.
Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York was among the major religious leaders who addressed the pro-lifers gathered on the monument grounds before they began their march to the Supreme Court.
"We all are a mirror held up to divinity, made in God's likeness. How then can we tolerate the snuffing out of even one being?" he asked.
Other Catholic leaders present included Cardinals Anthony J. Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, who is chairman of the U.S. bishops' pro-life committee, Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, Bernard F. Law of Boston and William H. Keeler of Baltimore.
Gray, noting that "the Catholic bishops have been involved in the pro-life movement for as long as it's been around," also introduced 24 bishops and auxiliary bishops, who offered their support of marchers with the joint declaration, "We will march with you as long as it takes."
Among the eight members of Congress who also addressed the crowd was Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J. A Catholic and long-time supporter of the pro-life movement. He spoke forcefully and emotionally about abortion.
"If any of us," he said, "thinks we have done enough to counter the culture of death, we are only kidding ourselves. By our inaction we have become enablers. Abortion is child abuse in the extreme. It is violence. It is barbaric. If the president and pro-lifers in Congress really believe and understand this — it would radically change our agenda.
"We must demand that all that can be done now be done by the president and Congress to protect life," he said. "Without delay. Without any more excuses. The future can be different. America can yet embrace a culture of life where even so-called unwanted children are loved by someone ... and protected by law."
He concluded, "With God's help — the future will be pro-life."
Smith was joined by Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., as well as Reps. Melissa A. Hart, R-Pa.; John Shimkus, R-Ill.; Steve Chabot, R-Ohio; Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.; Jim Ryun, R-Kan.; and Jim Pence, R-Ind.
"Isn't it nice to be standing in 50-degree sunshine in the shadow of the White House with a pro-life president?" Pence asked.
Chabot said that for "the last eight years our moves were blocked at every turn by the folks in the White House. But now they're gone."
The crowd cheered wildly.
"We will get rid of Roe vs. Wade," he concluded.
Brownback, noting the abundance of marchers below the age of 25, implored the youths to raise their hands and then said, "You are the future. Your generation must decide if a young person is a person or a piece of property.
"There are two things you can do," he said. "You can act and you can pray that this killing will cease."
Others who addressed the crowd included three Orthodox clergy, four rabbis, an archbishop from the Charismatic Episcopal Church, a United Methodist minister, the director of the Family Research Council, a registered nurse from the National Council of Pro-Life Nurses, a member of University Faculty for Life and a representative from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the oldest Irish Catholic lay organization in America.
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