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Faithful urged to convert hearts on abortion through peaceful witness
By Julie Filby
Some 300 people gathered for a Mass and rally at Denver’s St. James Parish March 5 to kick off 40 Day For Life, a pro-life initiative that starts today and runs through Palm Sunday, April 17.
Participants in the national campaign hope to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach and constant vigil—with the most visible component being peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion clinics. In the Denver Archdiocese, events are being organized in the Denver metro area, Boulder, and for the first time in Fort Collins.
“This campaign has been extremely successful across the county in saving babies, sparing women the trauma of abortion, and raising pro-life awareness in the community,” said Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley, the main celebrant at the Mass.
In seven formal campaigns since 2007, national organizers estimate more than 400,000 individuals have participated from 13,000 churches: sparing 3,599 lives from abortion.
Bishop Conley’s homily focused on three main points: prayer, presence and hope.
“Without prayer, we’re powerless,” he said. “Prayer has to be the foundation of everything we do, especially the great things we’re called to do; the difficult things; the battles we’re called to be engaged in.”
He described the pro-life movement as a spiritual battle.
“The pro-life movement is not a political movement; it’s not a philosophical or theological movement … it’s a spirituality,” he said.
Bishop Conley told the congregation “to love the children in the womb and their dear mothers.”
“We cannot place ourselves above those we oppose,” he said. “We have to witness and extend the love and mercy of God … this is what changes hearts.”
He gave examples of abortion workers who were converted through peaceful Christian witness: including former abortionist and founding NARAL member Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who served as a hero for life until his death two weeks ago; Carol Everett, former abortion provider who later authored the industry exposé “Blood Money;” and Abby Johnson, who detailed her journey from Planned Parenthood director to pro-life advocate in the book “unPlanned” released last January.
Bishop Conley said Christians, including the Catholic Church, were caught “asleep at the wheel” when abortion was legalized in 1973.
“It took a while to mobilize an organized effort to get the pro-life movement going,” he said, recognizing that advocates work to ensure the Church is never caught asleep again.
He said there is much reason for hope in the pro-life movement including fewer abortion clinics and more ultrasound technology in crisis pregnancy centers.
“Even though we don’t have money, media or politicians on our side, that’s no big deal,” he said lightheartedly. “We have truth, we have science, and we have God on our side—what more could we want?”
The rally continued with a resounding pro-life rosary in the parish hall, followed by introductions of the Fort Collins’ 40 Days coordinator Linda O’Brien, and Boulder’s chair Bob Gilson. Denver’s coordinator, Rosalinda Lozano, was unable to attend.
“I am not brave, and I am not bold,” said O’Brien. “But sometimes when you have conviction, you get bolder; you get braver!
“We need all of you to stand in vigil,” she said, encouraging attendees to pray at Planned Parenthood of Fort Collins. “If I can do it, you can do it.”
Gilson, who is coordinating the sixth campaign in Boulder, asked the audience how many had prayed at a clinic before. He then gave an impression of what he looked like the first time he prayed at Dr. Warren Hern’s Boulder Abortion Clinic.
With hands folded solemnly in prayer, his wobbly legs vividly demonstrated nervousness.
“It takes about three times to go from “that”—to feeling more comfortable,” he said, drawing laughs from the crowd.
Other speakers included Father John Paul Leyba, parochial vicar at St. Thomas Parish in Centennial; and Jane Brennan and Rose and Francisco Guerrero who shared personal post-abortive testimonies.
The speakers, at times emotional and tearful, brought many in the crowd to tears as well.
“When I was there (deciding to have an abortion), I was so broken,” said Brennan, author of “Motherhood Interrupted.” “I didn’t hear any other option … there wasn’t anyone outside the clinic praying or offering to help me.
“That’s why your commitment is so important,” she said. “You save babies and you may also save a woman a lifetime of pain.”
Terri Fangman, a parishioner at St. Thomas More in Centennial, attended the rally with her two daughters, ages 12 and 14. She was moved to attend after reading “unPlanned.”
“Johnson credits the respectful presence of pro-lifers who held prayer vigils outside Planned Parenthood, for helping her see God’s truth in what she was participating in,” Fangman said “When I realized (participants in) 40 Days for Life … prayed and offered kindness to woman, I knew I could get involved—this is ‘my type of protest!’”
Fangman will participate in a public vigil for this first time during this year’s campaign.
“God has worked through several friends and the book “unPlanned” to finally penetrate my heart and move me off the sidelines,” she said.
Kick-off rallies were also held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Boulder March 6 and at Knights of Columbus Hall in Fort Collins March 8. To get involved, contact your parish office or visit www.40DaysForLife.com.
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