The National March for Life was held in Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America on Thursday and Friday, 21-22 January 2016. It gathered people from everywhere in USA with an average of 75% of youth, most of whom were college and high school students.
It was an ecumenical event organized by the Catholic Church and attended by other Christian denominations. It was in protest against Abortion that was officially legalized in the USA since 1973 (The Roe v. Wade court decision). With faith, they believe it is possible to reverse the law. A Catholic Christian has a commitment to protect and defend women who bear lives in their wombs. In the same way, Pope Francis recently gave a speech in the synagogue of Rome (Roma, Sunday, January 17 2016) saying: “life is sacred because it is a gift from God. The fifth commandment of the Decalogue says “you shall not kill’’ (Ex. 20, 13). God is the God of life, He always seeks to promote and defend it; and we, created in His image and likeness, are called to do the same’’.
The March for Life began with the Holy Mass in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception celebrated by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New-York and chairman of USCCB committee on Pro-life Activities and with several cardinals of the USA, the Apostolic nuncio, Bishops, Priests and Deacons. A second Mass was celebrated on Friday, January 22, 2016 in (Verizon Center) presided by Daniel Cardinal DINARDO, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston. There were also many religious and seminarians present. After the Mass, a great number of people listened to a speech before the March to the Congress House. It was snowing during the March, the poor weather condition did not deter the people who were courageous enough and continued the March with Marian songs and prayers. Unfortunately the snowstorm hindered the people from returning home. There was heavy traffic vehicles were at a standstill for 24 hours on the high way .
Our SVD presence in this March for Life was a Witness or testimony to one of our Characteristics dimensions: Justice and Peace and the Integrity of creation.
Frt. Jean K. YANGIA, SVD
CTP-OTP USC.