OTTAWA, Ontario, February 21, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, long-praised for his dedicated promotion of Canada’s annual National March for Life on Parliament Hill, has called on the Ontario councils of the Knights of Columbus to show up en masse at this year’s May 12th March.
“Your presence as well as a representation from your council would witness to the importance of standing up for life and family in our country,” the Archbishop wrote in a January 31st letter.
“Your encouragement is invaluable and we are grateful for whatever support you are able to give this event,” he wrote. “Please support with your prayers all involved in planning this day and we in turn will pray for other marches being held locally.”
The prelate also noted that “several bishops have already indicated their intention to attend.”
Ontario State Deputy Arthur Peters told LifeSiteNews that the Knights consider the March for Life “very important.”
“We invite all Councils to participate in the March for Life, and also to encourage the support of schools in their area that wish to attend by helping with the transportation costs,” he explained.
In a 2009 resolution, the Ontario Knights threw their full support behind the March, pledging to subsidize local and high school bus trips throughout Ontario. They resolved further to make it a priority in February each year “to press councils throughout Ontario to partner with their area parishes on this issue.”
“We must spill over into the streets of Ottawa with not 8,000 but 80,000,” the resolution stated.
Joseph Salini, the Ontario State Council’s Pro-Life Director, told LifeSiteNews that the great importance the Knights give to the March is illustrated by the fact that Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and Deputy Supreme Knight Dennis Savoie have attended several times. He also noted that they have gone into Ottawa schools to promote the March.
“If everyone had the enthusiasm and the high energy level of Archbishop Prendergast, we’d pack the Hill,” said Jim Hughes, national President of Campaign Life Coalition, which organizes the yearly event. “The Knights have been coming on stronger and stronger each year, thanks in large part to Supreme Knight Carl Anderson in New Haven, Connecticut.”
“It’s hope that this growth will continue to the point where we will have to extend the whole event on Parliament Hill,” he added.
The theme for the 2011 National March for Life is ‘Abortion Kills a Human Being’. The two main events are the bilingual Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica at 10:00 a.m., followed by the March itself, which leaves Parliament Hill around 1 p.m.
The Rose Dinner on the evening of May 12th features a keynote address by David Bereit, national director of the 40 Days for Life. A youth Rose Dinner takes place at the same time, followed by the day-long youth conference on May 13th.
For more information visit www.marchforlife.ca. Purchase tickets for the dinners and conference by contacting Campaign Life Coalition Ottawa at 613-729-0379 or email [email protected]. Tickets sell fast.
Contact Information:
Archbishop Terrence Prendergast
1247 Kilborn Place
Ottawa, Ontario K1H 6K9
Phone: 613-738-5025
Fax: 613-738-0130
E-mail: [email protected]