HOMEPAGE for this issue: October 12, 2011 // Download PDF Version // Click to install/update Adobe Reader on your computer

40 Days for Life campaign largest ever

By Julie Filby

More than 300 locations worldwide are taking part in the grass-roots pro-life initiative, 40 Days for Life, in the organization’s largest campaign to date. In the Denver Archdiocese, events are taking place in Boulder, Fort Collins and the Denver metro area.

Participants in the campaign—running Sept. 28-Nov. 6—hope to end abortion through prayer and fasting, community outreach and constant vigil; with the most visible component being public prayer vigils held outside clinics where abortions are performed. Vigils aim to reach women and families, as well as abortion workers, in a peaceful, prayerful way.

“40 Days is a peaceful outreach to touch hearts … (it) gets people talking about abortion, the situations that lead to it and the suffering afterwards,” said Bob Gilson, director of Boulder’s campaign. “It’s different than the old pro-life strategies that were more about protest. Then the ‘drama of the protest’ takes center stage rather than concern for the women and their babies.”
Efforts in Fort Collins have grown, in the city’s second campaign, to include both Catholic and Protestant churches.

“We’ve expanded church participation,” said Linda O’Brien, director in Fort Collins. “There are actually about 30 churches involved in some measure—some at the first level with private prayer only, but that is the first step.”

O’Brien encouraged the faithful to consider stepping out of their “comfort zone” to stand in public witness for the dignity of human life.

“I encourage all to get involved … this witness says this killing is not OK—this killing is against God’s plan,” she said. “We’ve all been silent too long. It’s time to stand up for truth or be swallowed by the lie.”

Participation numbers have been lower than hoped in the Denver-metro area, with participants scheduled to hold vigil at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for less than half of the 40-day period.

“Unfortunately, we are having a very slow start,” said Rosalinda Lozano, Denver director. “We currently have 23 days on the calendar where no one is scheduled (as of Oct. 4) … we need more participation to make this campaign a great success for the unborn and their parents.”

Planned Parenthood is the leading provider of abortion in the United States. The Denver headquarters, Planned Parent-hood Stapleton at 7155 E. 38th Ave., is the organization’s second largest facility.

Lozano encouraged the faithful to challenge their ministries and prayer groups to commit to a time slot to pray together.

“They can (also) speak to their parish priest or respect life coordinator to get a commitment from the parish,” she added. “Prayer and fasting are very powerful. Prayer and fasting as a public witness is miraculous!”

The first 40 Days for Life initiative was conducted in Bryan/College Station, Texas, in fall 2004. Three years later in fall 2007, the first national campaign was conducted—in more than 80 cities. In the eight formal campaigns since inception, organizers estimate more than 400,000 individuals have participated from 13,000 churches: sparing 4,313 lives from abortion and contributing to the shut-down of 14 abortion facilities.

The current 40 Days for Life is being sponsored by Lighthouse Pregnancy Center, a privately operated and funded Catholic pregnancy center located at 3895 N. Pontiac St. in Denver, across the street from Planned Parenthood Stapleton.

To get involved individuals and groups can contact their parish office, visit www.40daysforlife.com, or contact one of the campaign directors (refer to contact information at top of this story).