The 9th annual Walk for Life was held on Saturday, January 26, 2013. It was attended by some 50,000 pro-life witnesses. Speakers this year included the papal nuncio to the United States, who relayed a message from Pope Benedict XVI to us that we who attended the Walk represent “the best of America.” Knights of Columbus members were ubiquitous during the Walk, and proudly displayed the banners of their respective councils. While counter-demonstrators were a bit more numerous than in recent years, the Walk remained, as always, peaceful and respectful of all. It was an honor and a privilege to have been part of this powerful witness to the gospel of life. The presence of so many young people in the Walk underscored the thundering words of Reverend Childress, another speaker at the event: “We will not stand down!”
Steve Patton, Respect Life Coordinator for our Diocese, recently sent a bulletin insert to Respect Life leaders from local parishes. The insert, written by Sacramento public health physician Steve McCurdy, a Catholic and Knight of Columbus, concerns abortion and science. Excerpts include the following:
“The human fetus is a human life. This is not a religious or ethical teaching, as some would have it. It is a scientific fact. From the moment of conception, human life prior to birth differs from us only in its stage of development, not in its fundamental character as a unique human life. While some argue that the fetus is not a “person,” this represents philosophical opinion, not scientific fact, and is often used to deny the human fetus that most fundamental right to its own life. Sadly, denial of rights based on the notion that members of some groups are somehow “not really human” is common throughout history. While society has made great progress in the last centuries against such prejudice, discrimination against fetal life is a glaring exception.”
“Abortion is the most common preventable cause of loss of human life. Nearly a quarter of all recognized pregnancies end in abortion. There are approximately 1.2 million abortions in the U.S. each year, accounting for one third of all deaths. The next largest preventable cause of death, tobacco, is not even a close second at 440,000 deaths per year.”
“As informed Catholics, we have the right and obligation to participate in the debate over abortion. Some Catholics have accepted the argument that opposition to abortion is based solely on our own religious beliefs, and these should not be pressed on others. While this is true for articles of faith (e.g., belief in God, transubstantiation), it is not true regarding scientific facts and universal human values, such as the importance of human life. Just as Catholic citizens have the right to argue for speed limits on city streets, so too must we engage to protect human life.”
Fraternally in Christ,
William (Bill) James
Culture of Life Director
Knights of Columbus
Council 953
