Despite the June 24 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that there is no right to abortion found in the U.S. Constitution — overturning 1973’s Roe v. Wade — the pro-life community is not sitting still. Advocates for the unborn and their mothers and fathers know that challenges continue, including in Minnesota, where abortion remains legal.
Two time-honored marches attended by large numbers of people from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will continue to take place later this month: one Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C., and one in St. Paul Jan. 22.
Jan. 20: 50th March for Life in Washington, D.C.
About 180 people, including 140 high school students and young adults, are preparing to journey on four chartered buses to our nation’s capital for the annual March for Life. Thirteen seminarians from The St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul will be on board to serve as group leaders for the young people and gain insight into youth and youth ministry, which can help their future outreach at parishes, said Madeline Larson, assistant marriage preparation and youth ministry coordinator for the archdiocese’s Office of Marriage, Family and Life.
Having young people accompany those preparing to give their “entire lives to Christ” as priests can encourage them to think more deeply about their faith lives and their relationship with God, Larson said. The trip also helps young people see that “it’s not just my pro-life club at school,” Larson said, but participants across the country advocating for the unborn.
“I’m really excited to watch conversions take place, and I’m very excited for hearts to change on this trip,” Larson said. Young people can enjoy all aspects of the trip and everyone will see “what the Lord has in store for us,” Larson said.
The national march’s website lists featured guests this year, including Tony Dungy, an author and coach in the football Hall of Fame, and actor and director Jonathan Roumie, perhaps best known for his role as Jesus in “The Chosen.” To learn more, visit marchforlife.org.
Now that the June 24 U.S. Supreme Court decision passed abortion issues back to the states, Larson said she believes passion will build for considering “how we are taking care of unplanned pregnancies,” mothers in need, the elderly and those at the end of life.
The pro-life issue extends from conception to natural death, Larson said. “We have ended abortion on the national level … but now, how can we live this out and how can we make abortion seem unthinkable in our society?”
The president of the National March for Life announced in July that the march in D.C. will continue going forward, but no decision has yet been made as to whether the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will transport marchers next year. Larson expressed excitement for working with schools and churches in the future to create “great experiences and great learning opportunities” locally.
Jan. 22: MCCL March for Life in St. Paul
Diane Moravec, 79, a parishioner of St. Peter in Forest Lake, believes the 2023 Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life March for Life will be her 48th. She remembers hearing a physician give a talk in early 1973 at then-College of St. Thomas in St. Paul about the ramifications of Roe v. Wade. After hearing that, she decided “this (issue) is something we want to be part of.”
At her first march, she recalls feeling “Wow, we’re not the only ones who are concerned about this. It was that camaraderie and that there are others who are also working for the unborn and the vulnerable.”
And while she may have missed one or two marches because of illness, the March for Life became an annual event. She said what keeps her coming back is the belief that “human life is a gift from the Lord.” “We are made in his image and likeness. And also on the human rights side, this is a violent denial of the most basic of human rights, to have your life taken,” Moravec said. “Those are the two main things that keep me going.”
Moravec often went to the march in St. Paul with her husband or friends. Years ago, she rode a bus to the march with sixth graders and teachers from St. Peter’s Catholic School in Forest Lake.
Another memorable and powerful march was the year she stood next to a group of women holding signs who regretted their abortion, and men who regretted being part of one, she said. One year, she thanked a young woman for being there, and Moravec received a hug in return. “It was just like ‘we’re together and supportive of moms and babies,’” she said.
The MCCL March for Life has become “very much a part of my life,” Moravec said.
This year’s event starts at 2 p.m. on the Capitol grounds instead of the more traditional noon, to better accommodate participants’ Sunday morning commitments, including church, said MCCL spokesman Paul Stark. The program starts at 2:30 p.m.
At press time, the main speaker had not yet been named. Scott Fischbach, MCCL president and the new executive director of National Right to Life, will deliver a welcome message. And Cathy Blaeser, co-executive director of MCCL alongside Don Parker, will serve as emcee. Stark said he expects “a lot of legislators” to attend.
Stark didn’t predict crowd size or energy, but said “it will be interesting to see because it’s the first march post-Roe.”
“But the fact that we still have abortion on demand in Minnesota means that we’ve got a lot of work to do here,” he said.
Stark said it’s probably never been more important for pro-lifers to come to the state Capitol for the MCCL march and “give a public witness to the importance of protecting life and standing in opposition to what some lawmakers are trying to do.” With Democrats now controlling the Minnesota House, Senate and governor’s office, some state legislators have talked about placing abortion rights into state law this legislative session, to further protect access to the procedure. Stark said he believes there’s a good chance a bill could be introduced with a “no limits,” fundamental right to abortion, meaning abortion at any time during pregnancy.
Stark said he hopes pro-lifers come to the state Capitol for the march “and give a public witness to the importance of protecting life and standing in opposition to what some lawmakers are trying to do.”
Stark expects MCCL will continue to sponsor its March for Life every January. To learn more, visit mccl.org.
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