Thousands of pro-lifers across Michigan descended upon Lansing this week to participate in Right to Life-Michigan’s second Michigan March for Life, November 6. Appropriately, the day began with Holy Mass at Saint Mary Cathedral where Bishop Earl Boyea urged all present to pray for the conversion of all those involved in the abortion industry.
“We really do pray for our own daily repentance from our sinful ways, and we pray for our fellow citizens who seem caught up in this culture of death which exists here in our otherwise beautiful state of Michigan,” said Bishop Boyea in his homily.
“We go forward with this certain hope because, as the psalmist professes, ‘I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.’ We wish to claim this fallen world for the Lord, such that it truly will be a land of the living. God. Bless you, all you.”
Concelebrating with Bishop Boyea were Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Robert J. Fisher, Bishop David J. Walkowiak of Grand Rapids and Bishop Jeffrey J. Walsh of Gaylord.
After Mass, thousands gathered on the Capitol lawn to hear testimonies from a series of pro-life witnesses, including former Detroit TV personality Chuck Gaidica, who emceed the event.
In his testimonial, Gaidica recalled a time when his wife was having complications during the pregnancy of their fifth child.
The couple were in the doctor’s office, awaiting test results and discussing what they would do next. The doctor came into the office, saying there was a chance the unborn child showed signs of autism.
“She reached across her desk and handed us a brochure printed on recycled paper — if that made it any better — and it was a brochure on abortion, and she said to us, ‘I’ll be back in five minutes,’” Gaidica recalled. “And she literally was back in five minutes, and she said, ‘What did you decide?’ And we said, ‘Well, we decided before we walked in that whatever is God’s plan is God’s plan,’ and we left.
“I tell this story because I want to let you know that Riley, our fifth child, was born. The doctor may have looked at her as ‘healthy’ — she was not a Down’s child — but it really wouldn’t have mattered; I can’t imagine our life without Riley,” Gaidica said.
Bishop Boyea than addressed the assembly before the Capitol building.
“I’m blessed to be with my brother bishops from the Catholic dioceses of the state of Michigan; perhaps some of you recognize your own bishop,” Bishop Boyea said. “Make sure that you go up to them and tell them you’re praying for them.”
Ever since the passage of Proposal 3 during the 2022 election, which cemented the legal right to abortion in the Michigan state constitution, pro-life advocates have placed an emphasis on the Michigan March to Life on the anniversary of the November 6, 2022, election.
The Michigan March for Life is about creating a public presence of pro-lifers who want to show leaders in Lansing that there are citizens — voters — who care about the protection of life in all stages.
“I hope our friends in the news media who are here with us today — and we’re so honored to have them — I hope they report the turnout,” said Amber Roseboom, president of Right to Life-Michigan.
“We have thousands — not hundreds — here in Lansing to stand for life today. Praise God for this beautiful weather. But look around; this is the future of the pro-life movement. We stand with, not against, women facing unplanned pregnancies. We offer compassion, the truth in love, hope, including the practical care and support to make a choice for life.”
Roseboom commended the work of 80 local Right to Life affiliates across the state, staffed by thousands of volunteers who advocate, counsel and support women in crisis pregnancies.
“Abortion advocates want women to believe abortion is their only option, and today we have another message, a hopeful message, a powerful message for women facing unplanned pregnancies: You are not alone. We stand with you shoulder to shoulder; we stand for you,” Roseboom said.
“There are resources in every community in our state to support a woman in a choice for life, many of which we’re showcasing here today. If a woman, a couple, a father, or a teen girl is listening to this, facing an unplanned pregnancy and wondering what help looks like, I invite you to call 1-800-712-HELP for free, confidential support. Make no mistake about it, help is out there.”
Other pro-life advocates, lawmakers and organizers thanked the thousands gathered for the march from the state Capitol building to the Michigan Hall of Justice, which houses the Michigan State Supreme Court, for being witnesses for life.
* Additional reporting courtesy of Detroit Catholic https://www.detroitcatholic.com/
