Catholic Medical Quarterly Volume 73(4) November 2023
News
March for Life UK 2023
Dr Adrian Treloar
Its
great to see that despite a national rail strike the numbers weren’t down
at this year’s March for Life. Police estimated that 7,000 pro-life
attendees of all ages, including a large contingent of youth, filled
Parliament Square on Saturday to show their support for the 2023 theme of
the event ‘Freedom to Live’. A growing number of abortion
supporters, comprising various groups, were also present in a counter
protest but it seemed like nothing could dampen the spirits of the March
for Life crowd as they sang, danced and prayed their way along the
streets.
The
annual public witness, now in its ninth year, processed in a lively manner
through Westminster before stopping for the keynote speeches. Speakers
included Lois McClatchie-Miller from ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom) who
told the crowd ‘The apparently ‘empowering’ mantra of ‘my body, my choice’
has led to a deficit of male responsibility, allowing men to shrug and say
‘your body, your choice, your problem’. Whilst Scott Klusendorf,
president
of The Life Training Institute urged attendees to enter into conversations
with those around them on abortion but reminded them ‘We need to have the
confidence to make our case persuasively‘.
Co-director of the event, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce who also spoke, shared
her experience of being arrested for praying silently near an abortion
centre ‘On the second time I was arrested I was
told
my prayers were an offence. I’ll tell you what is offensive’ she continued
‘That our country has the highest ever abortion figures, 100,000 of them
annually being repeat abortion and the only response we see happening in
our government is a clamp down on those who peacefully offer alternatives
to pregnant women.’
The morning indoor pro-life festival at The Emmanuel Centre, now an established part of the day, was also well attended. This consisted of sessions for children of all ages, stalls from various pro-life organisations and a training session for a new outreach project named ‘Engage’ which was described by one of the participants, Theo, as ‘A way of connecting with the public on this key topic and starting a respectful conversation in a meaningful and productive way’.
Religious
leaders from various Christian denominations showed their support for the
cause by joining together in a demonstration of solidarity. Catholic
bishops John Sherrington, Richard Moth and John Keenan, took to the stage
alongside Monsignor Keith Newton of the Ordinariate. Various Anglican
priests were present along with regular supporters, Rev Calvin Robinson
from the Free Church of England and Regan King from the Angel Church.
The
most moving words of the day came from Ellie, a young woman who spoke of
her deep regret at having three abortions. Ellie had to raise her voice to
be heard above the nearby abortion supporters who attempted to shout her
down ‘I instinctively knew when it was time to go to the toilet and
deliver my baby’ said Ellie ‘That moment of separation is burned into my
memory forever.’ Ellie continued to share the effects of her abortion and
of others she knew ‘I think I can speak for every post-abortive woman
stood here today that abortion didn’t grant us freedom, but made us
captives in one way or another’.
Co-director,
Ben Thatcher shared how at the end of the day a young man who had been
present throughout asked for a March for Life poster to take home with him
saying ‘I want to tell my church where I’ve been today and what I’ve
heard’. Ben promised the event would be back in September 2024 to
celebrate March for Life UK’s 10th anniversary and shared his hope that
there would be 10,000 supporters participating next year.
We are grateful to March for Life (UK) for the text of this article.