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Evangelical and Catholic Groups Express Support for March for Life in Ottawa May 8

By John Jalsevac

OTTAWA, Ontario, May 7, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - With what is promising to be the largest Canadian March for Life since the event began 11 years ago set to take place tomorrow afternoon, leaders of various Christian denominations are encouraging their members to drop everything and show up in full force to support a cause that transcends particular religious affiliation.

Don Hutchinson, director of law and public policy and general legal counsel for The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, told LifeSiteNews.com, "Evangelical Christians are encouraged to join in Thursday's March for Life rally on Parliament Hill followed by the march itself."

"This is an opportunity to express our agreement on the sanctity of human life with Catholics and representatives of other faith communities."

At the same time, the Catholic Civil Rights League has announced that it is proud to support the national March for Life.
 
"The right to life is the most fundamental of all civil rights, and the League has always recognized that where this right is not supported and upheld, all other rights are weaker," said League Executive Director Joanne McGarry. "We're pleased to be able to provide recognition and some support to events focused on this issue."

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), the organization founded and supported by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, has also called on "all Canadian citizens who respect human life to walk in support of the first of all human rights: the right to life" in Ottawa on May 8. With respect to the right to life, the COLF message says, "our country is in need not only of legislative reform, but also of a great cultural renewal . . . the building of a new awareness of the worth and dignity of every human life from conception to natural death."

Organizers of this year's March for Life say that they expect a record-breaking crowd of pro-lifers from all across Canada.

The event that is quickly becoming one of the central highlights of the annual March, the youth conference, has already registered close to 800 participants, smashing the records of attendance for previous years. 

The '08 March for Life, with the motto "Life - the FIRST human right", begins this evening with a Catholic Mass at 7:30, and at 9:00 a candlelight vigil at The Canadian Tribute to Human Rights Monument at Lisgar and Elgin Streets.

Tomorrow participants will gather on Parliament hill at around noon, following a Catholic Mass and a Protestant prayer service, both of which will take place at 10:00am. The March itself will begin at 1:30pm after speeches by prominent Canadian pro-life activists, religious figures, and politicians.

For more information visit the March for Life website at http://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/events/Marchforlife/2008/#schedule

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Canadian Bishops' Life Office Calls on All Canadians to Attend March for Life May 8
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08050104.html

Over 760 Registered to Date for Canadian National March for Life Youth Conference May 9
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/may/08050112.html

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