News

By Gudrun Schultz

OTTAWA, Canada, March 30, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The 10th annual National March for Life will be held in Ottawa May 9-11, 2007, as a powerful witness to the death of more than three million unborn Canadian children over the past four decades, and a call for legal protection for the unborn.

“This is the 10th anniversary, it’s a big anniversary for this event,” Mary Ellen Douglas, Ontario president for Campaign Life Coalition, told LifeSiteNews.com. “It’s extremely important to give people the opportunity to come out and publicly show the government and the people of Ottawa, as we march through the streets, that the killing of unborn babies is not acceptable, and that we want to see justice for the unborn.”

  The number of participants in the March has steadily increased over the past decade, with nearly 6,000 participants from across the country joining in the 2006 demonstration in the nation’s capital.

The presence of enthusiastic youth participants at the March has increased dramatically in recent years. At last year’s event, young people made up the largest group of participants—Ontario high school students in the thousands traveled by busload to Parliament Hill to represent a growing pro-life movement among the younger generation.

  This year’s event will begin on the evening of May 9 with a special March for Life Catholic Mass at St. Theresa’s parish, followed by a candle-lit procession and interdenominational vigil at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument at the corner of Lisgar and Elgin Streets. For Catholic participants, all-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at St. Patrick’s Basilica on Kent Street, ending with 7:00 am Mass.

Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life will celebrate Mass at 10 am Thursday morning, the day of the March, at St. Patrick’s Basilica. A non-denominational prayer service will take place at 10 am at St. George Anglican Church on Metcalfe Street, and a Reformed service at 1876 Merivale Rd. will begin at 9:30 am.

  The National March for Life will take place in the afternoon, beginning with speeches from parliamentarians and pro-life and religious leaders on Parliament Hill at noon. The March leaves Parliament Hill at 1:30 pm to pass the Human Rights monument and wind its way through the streets of the capital, accompanied by a police escort, eventually making its way back to the Hill.

  Women who have suffered the experience of an abortion will offer a Silent No More presentation on the Hill at 2:45 pm, followed by a prayer service led by Rev. Terry Kraychuk near the Eternal Flame.

  The Rose Dinner begins at 6 pm the evening of May 10 at the new Hampton Inn. Speaking at the event will be the producer and the lead actor from the movie Bella, an award-winning drama centering on the lives of Latino immigrants in New York city, with a storyline that centers on the question of abortion. The film stunned critics by winning the People’s Choice  award at the prestigious Toronto Film Festival in September 2006. Producer Leo Severino and actor Eduardo Verastegui, who plays the central character in the film, are part owners of Metanoia Films, a new production company that aspires to have a positive impact on the culture and in people’s lives.

  Tickets are required for the dinner and may be purchased at 613) 729-0379 or 1-800-730-5358.
 
  For more information please contact Campaign Life Coalition:
  613-729-0379, or
  1-800-730-5358 or
  416-204-9749
  or email:
 [email protected]

  To view the official National March for Life 2007 webpage:
  https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/events/Marchforlife/2007/