Stepping up for the voiceless
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More than 4000 people showed their support for the unborn by attending the Walk for Life last month.
Wearing white shirts, the walkers carried placards promoting the message of ‘love them both’ as they gathered at Pennington Gardens and marched down King William Street to Parliament House and back along the pedestrian bridge.
Vicar General Fr Dean Marin, who took part in the event, said Christians from various churches and people of good will participated, with an increased involvement this year of priests and parishioners from the Adelaide Archdiocese.
Mt Gambier parishioners at the rally.
He said it was also pleasing to see more young people present.
Jodie Pickard, director of Love Adelaide, welcomed everyone and Pastor Ann Brown began the gathering with prayer.
Speakers were Martin Iles from the Australian Christian Lobby, Senator Alex Antic, Sarah Game MLC and Julie Sharp from Genesis Pregnancy Support.
“Once again this year, all heard the beating heart of a child in its mother’s womb,” Fr Marin said.
“Mention was made of the recent ruling of the US Supreme Court in overturning the legal right for abortion in the United States and the encouragement it should give to all who are pro-life in the face of abortion.
“With the words of Matthew’s Gospel, ‘you are the salt of the earth, the light of the world’ the involvement and actions of all were affirmed and encouraged.”
Fr Marin said participants were encouraged to support the introduction before State Parliament of ‘Zoe’s Law’ which would recognise the life of an unborn child taken by a criminal offence and the Children Born Alive Protection Bill before the Federal Parliament. This bill would prevent children suffering an abortion and still alive being left to die.
“Overall, the theme was one of the positive witness to the life of both mother and child captured in the posters and the active support for women, without judgement or condemnation, who are facing an unplanned pregnancy,” Fr Marin said.
“Local churches were encouraged to become ‘houses of refuge’ where women facing an unplanned pregnancy can receive all the material and emotional support they may need to care for their child.”
The work of Birthline and Genesis pregnancy support services was also promoted.
“Again we were reminded that many women suffer emotional turmoil post-abortion and through love and acceptance can receive forgiveness, healing and peace,”
Fr Marin said.
The day after the Walk for Life parishes celebrated the ‘Day of the Unborn’ and were called to support the vital positive work of Birthline and Genesis.
“Without doubt the momentum in the pro-life movement in SA is growing and will continue,”
Fr Marin said.
“I encourage the active support of Love Adelaide and also the formation of pro-life groups in our parishes or deaneries. We need to continue to be a ‘voice for the voiceless’ in our society.”
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