By Jim Coggins

It is sometimes thought that the pro-life movement might be slowing down. But pro-life leaders say the reverse is true.

“The trend in Canada and the United States is toward pro-life, especially among younger women,” said Dorothy Blaak, executive director of Abbotsford Right to Life. One of the indicators is that fewer young women are having abortions. Another is that participation in some pro-life events is growing.

That is not well known, Blaak said, because even if thousands of people show up for a pro-life event, the mainstream media generally do not report it – or if they do report it, they report it in negative terms.

Several major pro-life events are coming up this month.

‘First Human Right’

The third annual March for Life will take place in Victoria May 13. The day will begin with a Roman Catholic mass at noon at St. Andrews Cathedral, 740 View Street, Victoria.

All participants will assemble at Centennial Square at 2 pm and march to the B.C. Legislature.

The hour-long rally, beginning at 2:30, will feature several speakers: Bishop David Monroe of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops; Jose Ruba, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform; Minerva Macapagal, president of the pro-life club Heartbeat at Capilano University; Rachel Daniel, an advocate for the dignity and vocation of women; and Robert Fitterer, lead pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church at the University of Victoria and author of the book Love and Objectivity in Virtue Ethics.

The theme for his year’s rally is ‘Life: The First Human Right.’ Attendance grew significantly at the march last year, and this year organizers are hoping to attract 3,000 participants.

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‘Crime Against Humanity’

The Victoria march will take place about the same time as the 13th annual National March For Life in Ottawa.

That event will occur over three days, May 12 – 14, on the theme ‘Abortion: A Crime Against Humanity.’

The event is sponsored by the Campaign Life Coalition. Organizers hope to attract 20,000 people this year, up from last year’s record 12,000.

Contact: campaignlifecoalition.com.

‘Focus on Life’

The 12th annual Focus on Life gala fundraising dinner, presented by Signal Hill, will take place May 31 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver.

This year’s speaker will be Raymond Arroyo, host of the Eternal World Television Network program The World Over.

Also on the program at the dinner will be Tom Cooper, president of City in Focus; John Neufeld, senior pastor of Willingdon Church in Burnaby,      J. Michael Miller, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vancouver; and the Rosario Strings.

Signal Hill is “an advocate for human rights that provides information on life issues, women’s health and family support.”

The dinner will raise funds for life affirming television commercials and other media initiatives by Signal Hill.

Contact: www.signalhill.com or 1.877.SIGNAL.

May 2010