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When
something is important, you need to take a stand, speak up and make your
opinion known.
We see people doing this in their neighborhood when someone is peddling
drugs or manufacturing meth. They get up in arms. They report. They get drug
houses closed
We see people doing this in their city when the education system is
floundering and children are falling behind. They demand change. They
challenge leaders to act.
And, we see people doing this in a nation in which the courts have
determined that the unborn do not have a right to life. They pray. They
march. They advocate for the dignity of all life from birth to natural
death.
In the 24 years that have followed the Roe vs. Wade decision, countless
prayers have been raised to end abortion on demand. Many protests and
marches have been held seeking a reversal. Much has been written on the
moral dimensions of taking innocent life.

Photo by Matthew Poeske
The protection of life from conception to natural death has been
consistently upheld, defended and taught by the Catholic Church through
numerous statements by the Bishops of the U.S.
Some Catholics in our Diocese are
very focused on ending abortion. They wear pins, carry banners, pray, march,
distribute pamphlets and write letters. Other Catholics in our Diocese
care
just as deeply about a consistent ethic of life and speak up about a wide
range of issues that uphold the dignity of life.
Still others in our Diocese are more reticent about abortion and other life
issues, perhaps not fully convinced, perhaps just more reserved, perhaps
just not interested in getting actively involved. They are perhaps greater
in numbers than their brothers and sisters who are more visible in their
activities and views.
Yet, whatever our reservations may be, when something is important we cannot
just sit on the sidelines.
Each January, on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, we are given an
opportunity to take a stand, to speak up, to express our moral convictions.
I will again this month be taking part in the March for Life, which this
year will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20, beginning with a Mass at St.
Augustine Cathedral at 9 a.m. and followed by a prayerful march to Holy Hope
Cemetery, a sacred place of burial.
I invite you to join me this year.
The march, which includes people of other faiths who share our beliefs in
the dignity of life, reminds our community that nothing can condone the
taking of innocent life.
The march is also a statement that opposing abortion does not mean
condemning or ignoring women who are struggling with unwanted pregnancies,
women who fear bearing a child with disability, women who are not ready to
be mothers and women with grave health conditions whose lives might be in
jeopardy because of the life in their wombs.
The message of the march is an invitation to help, to be in solidarity with
the fears, struggles, even desperation of women seeking abortions. There are
alternatives. There are people willing to help. The message of the march is
a reminder to our parishes that ministry to a woman who is in crisis because
of pregnancy must be a priority.

We have just celebrated the birth of Christ. Who could have imagined what
this tiny child would accomplish and the love He would be capable of? We
know that His gifts would have been lost by Herod’s slaying of the innocent.
The March for Life calls for alternatives to the taking of innocent life and
for respect for all the potential and possibilities of those yet to be born.
Even though you may not be comfortable with public demonstrations, society
needs to hearfrom you.
I look forward to walking with our priests, religious, deacons and laity –
and, I hope, with you.
- Bishop Gerald Kicanas
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Diocese of Tucson
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