As the nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, Americans can give no better gift than standing up for God’s law and human life. On January 23, hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers took to the streets for the 53rd March for Life in Washington, D.C., to boldly proclaim their vision for America’s future.
The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) joined the March for Life with a large contingent gathered around a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima, its trademark 18-foot red standards, and the Holy Choir of Angels brass, drum, and bagpipe band.
With better weather than last year, an immense crowd filled the streets, including large numbers of young people, full of enthusiasm for the cause of the unborn and the future of the family. A veritable sea of banners and signs from groups around the nation blanketed the National Mall as the opening rally began.
Another Crossroads
This year’s March for Life finds the movement at yet another crossroads. The overturning of Roe v. Wade represented a major victory that broke the momentum of the pro-abortionist movement. However, the battle is far from over. There is great pressure upon the movement to be more “flexible” on the issue.
On the left and the right, there are those who claim other issues are just as important, if not more so, than procured abortion. They insist that immigration, inflation, climate change or caring for poor children must now be given priority.
“We must never give up or even reduce the pace of our march until we have achieved complete victory of an abortion-free America in our times,” commented TFP Student Action director John Ritchie.
Like last year, Vice President J.D. Vance spoke to the crowd and reaffirmed the Administration’s support for the cause. He said many heartening things, such as “We are trying to persuade our fellow citizens that we must build up that culture of life,” and, “under this administration, again, from the president of the United States to the vice president, you have an ally in the White House.” Many, however, have been disappointed with the government’s approval for an abortion pill that is a key component in the post-Roe abortion fight. They still yearn to see Planned Parenthood totally defunded.
Broadening the Perspective of the Fight
This year, the American TFP distributed a flyer titled “We Must Resist the Pressure to Abandon the Unborn and Embrace Other Causes.”
The statement says that the best reply to those who want to embrace other causes is to view the fight in a broader context. Pro-lifers must see their fight not just as defending a “single issue,” but as part of a larger battle over what remains of Christian civilization.
This broad historical perspective can be found in the book Revolution and Counter-Revolution, by the learned Catholic intellectual and man of action, Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.
The author claims modern history can be seen as a struggle between two forces: the enemies of the Church and Christendom (the Revolution) and those who defend Christian civilization (the Counter-Revolution).
This Revolution (with a capital R) is the unifying force of a vast attack upon Christianity that spans centuries. The fight for procured abortion is only one of its many facets.
The Counter-revolution finds unity in the Catholic Church’s efforts to uphold Christian civilization and stem the tide of revolutionary aggression.
Inside the context of the Counter-revolution, the abortion battle can more effectively work to save the unborn.
If the debate is framed in this way, it broadens the scope of all action. When activists fight against abortion, they fight against the Revolution that aims to destroy Christianity. Fighting against any aspect of the Revolution advances the pro-life cause.
The TFP statement expands perspectives yet further by calling upon the supernatural power of God and Our Lady to make this fight proportionate to the “principalities and powers, the dominators of this world of darkness” that are involved in promoting abortion’s culture of death.
Young People Abound
“I am encouraged to see so many people of my generation and younger here,” commented TFP volunteer Jon Paul Fabrizio. “America will only be great in the future when it defends God’s law.”
Indeed, young people are attracted to the prolife cause because they see more than just saving babies’ lives, but saving the country. Those who say that this is a “single issue” battle are wrong. It is a vibrant and necessary part of a larger battle over what remains of Christian civilization.
The American TFP will be joining prolife protests all over the country. It will hold 1000 Public Square Rosary Rallies in January as a means to storm heaven with prayers for an America where God’s Law and human life are respected and loved.