The Face of Pro-Life
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The Face of Pro-Life AFTER THE U.S. Supreme Court decriminalized abortion throughout the nation in 1973, citizens began to unite in peaceful protest. Within months, the Knights of Columbus contacted Nellie Gray, a young lawyer in Washington, D.C., and helped to organize a rally and march on Capitol Hill. On Jan. 22, 1974, the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade, thousands of pro-life advocates gathered for the first national March for Life. What was to be a one-time event has taken place every year since, and the crowds of participants have grown ever larger. In 2010, hundreds of thousands gathered for the 37th annual March for Life, as the temperature hovered just above freezing. After the event, a Newsweek article quoted Nancy Keenan, then president of the pro-abortion-rights group NARAL, who had encountered throngs of pro-life youth at Washington’s Union Station. “I just thought, my gosh, they are so young,” Keenan said. “There are so many of them, and they are so young.” Two years later, Keenan announced she would be stepping down from her position, citing an “intensity gap” among young people on life issues. Polling has confirmed what Keenan observed: Millennials who are passionately pro-life vastly outnumber those who strongly support abortion rights. Although attempts are made to paint the pro-life movement as some kind of hateful fringe group, millions of joyful pro-lifers reflect a very different picture. Those on the frontlines of the pro-life movement, young people included, are motivated by a sense of charity,
compassion and social justice for the most vulnerable. Consider, for instance, the staff members and volunteers at thousands of pregnancy resource centers and a growing number of pro-life medical clinics (see page 8). Their invaluable work helps to ensure that women in crisis, so often pressured to have an abortion, can make a true “choice” for life. Consider also those who work with Project Rachel, counseling women who have regretfully experienced an abortion loss (see page 16). The healing witness of this ministry is particularly meaningful during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which began Dec. 8. In a September 2015 letter on the occasion of the holy year, Pope Francis wrote, “The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails. Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe they have no other option.” He added, “I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.” Still, Pope Francis made it clear that hope remains because of the healing power of God’s infinite mercy. Indeed, many have experienced this mercy thanks to the loving witness of others and are now among the most passionate defenders of human life. They, too, are the face of the pro-life movement, which continues to grow larger and more vibrant each day.♦ ALTON J. PELOWSKI EDITOR
Culture of Life Resource: Men and Abortion The booklet Men and Abortion: Finding Healing, Restoring Hope (#334) by Dr. Catherine T. Coyle is part of the Veritas Series published by the Order’s Catholic Information Service. Explaining how both men and women suffer from the painful consequences of abortion, the booklet offers a profound, four-phase process of healing and forgiveness for men. To download this and other Catholic resources, visit kofc.org/cis. 2 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦
JANUARY 2016
COLUMBIA PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus ________ SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson SUPREME KNIGHT Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN Logan T. Ludwig DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT Charles E. Maurer Jr. SUPREME SECRETARY Michael J. O’Connor SUPREME TREASURER John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ________ EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski EDITOR Andrew J. Matt MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Scalisi SENIOR EDITOR ________
Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. ________ HOW TO REACH US MAIL COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 FAX 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995 E-MAIL [email protected] INTERNET kofc.org/columbia ________ Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
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Copyright © 2016 All rights reserved ________ ON THE COVER Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 8 to inaugurate the Jubilee of Mercy.
E D I TO R I A L
The Face of Pro-Life AFTER THE U.S. Supreme Court decriminalized abortion throughout the nation in 1973, citizens began to unite in peaceful protest. Within months, the Knights of Columbus contacted Nellie Gray, a young lawyer in Washington, D.C., and helped to organize a rally and march on Capitol Hill. On Jan. 22, 1974, the first anniversary of Roe v. Wade, thousands of pro-life advocates gathered for the first national March for Life. What was to be a one-time event has taken place every year since, and the crowds of participants have grown ever larger. In 2010, hundreds of thousands gathered for the 37th annual March for Life, as the temperature hovered just above freezing. After the event, a Newsweek article quoted Nancy Keenan, then president of the pro-abortion-rights group NARAL, who had encountered throngs of pro-life youth at Washington’s Union Station. “I just thought, my gosh, they are so young,” Keenan said. “There are so many of them, and they are so young.” Two years later, Keenan announced she would be stepping down from her position, citing an “intensity gap” among young people on life issues. Polling has confirmed what Keenan observed: Millennials who are passionately pro-life vastly outnumber those who strongly support abortion rights. Although attempts are made to paint the pro-life movement as some kind of hateful fringe group, millions of joyful pro-lifers reflect a very different picture. Those on the frontlines of the pro-life movement, young people included, are motivated by a sense of charity,
compassion and social justice for the most vulnerable. Consider, for instance, the staff members and volunteers at thousands of pregnancy resource centers and a growing number of pro-life medical clinics (see page 8). Their invaluable work helps to ensure that women in crisis, so often pressured to have an abortion, can make a true “choice” for life. Consider also those who work with Project Rachel, counseling women who have regretfully experienced an abortion loss (see page 16). The healing witness of this ministry is particularly meaningful during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, which began Dec. 8. In a September 2015 letter on the occasion of the holy year, Pope Francis wrote, “The tragedy of abortion is experienced by some with a superficial awareness, as if not realizing the extreme harm that such an act entails. Many others, on the other hand, although experiencing this moment as a defeat, believe they have no other option.” He added, “I have met so many women who bear in their heart the scar of this agonizing and painful decision.” Still, Pope Francis made it clear that hope remains because of the healing power of God’s infinite mercy. Indeed, many have experienced this mercy thanks to the loving witness of others and are now among the most passionate defenders of human life. They, too, are the face of the pro-life movement, which continues to grow larger and more vibrant each day.♦ ALTON J. PELOWSKI EDITOR
Culture of Life Resource: Men and Abortion The booklet Men and Abortion: Finding Healing, Restoring Hope (#334) by Dr. Catherine T. Coyle is part of the Veritas Series published by the Order’s Catholic Information Service. Explaining how both men and women suffer from the painful consequences of abortion, the booklet offers a profound, four-phase process of healing and forgiveness for men. To download this and other Catholic resources, visit kofc.org/cis. 2 ♦ COLUMBIA ♦
JANUARY 2016
COLUMBIA PUBLISHER Knights of Columbus ________ SUPREME OFFICERS Carl A. Anderson SUPREME KNIGHT Most Rev. William E. Lori, S.T.D. SUPREME CHAPLAIN Logan T. Ludwig DEPUTY SUPREME KNIGHT Charles E. Maurer Jr. SUPREME SECRETARY Michael J. O’Connor SUPREME TREASURER John A. Marrella SUPREME ADVOCATE ________ EDITORIAL Alton J. Pelowski EDITOR Andrew J. Matt MANAGING EDITOR Patrick Scalisi SENIOR EDITOR ________
Venerable Michael McGivney (1852-90) Apostle to the Young, Protector of Christian Family Life and Founder of the Knights of Columbus, Intercede for Us. ________ HOW TO REACH US MAIL COLUMBIA 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510-3326 ADDRESS CHANGES 203-752-4210, option #3 PRAYER CARDS & SUPPLIES 203-752-4214 COLUMBIA INQUIRIES 203-752-4398 FAX 203-752-4109 K OF C CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-380-9995 E-MAIL [email protected] INTERNET kofc.org/columbia ________ Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to men 18 years of age or older who are practical (that is, practicing) Catholics in union with the Holy See. This means that an applicant or member accepts the teaching authority of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals, aspires to live in accord with the precepts of the Catholic Church, and is in good standing in the Catholic Church.
________
Copyright © 2016 All rights reserved ________ ON THE COVER Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica Dec. 8 to inaugurate the Jubilee of Mercy.
E D I TO R I A L
