IWKnights Corner For February 7, 2021
( Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Did you know this about the IW Knights of Columbus?

The annual March For Life - a virtual event this year - occurred just over a week ago.  We continue presenting the series of Questions and Answers which the Knights of Columbus' Columbia Magazine recently posed to the president of the March.

"After months of social and political unrest amid an ongoing global pandemic, the 48th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., took place Jan. 29 under a banner of unity and hope: “Together Strong: Life Unites.”  This year’s theme underscores the fact that, for decades, the March for Life has been the largest peaceful protest for human rights in the United States.

Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund since 2012, has long been an eloquent and passionate advocate for the unborn and pregnant women in need.  Columbia recently spoke with her about this year’s theme, the momentum of the pro-life movement, and social and political challenges in the new year."

"COLUMBIA: There has been a lot of discussion this past year about public protests.  Can you speak to the fact that the March for Life is the largest peaceful protest for human rights in the United States?

JEANNE MANCINI: This will be the 48th annual March for Life.  We have marched every year against the human rights abuse of abortion and have always taken the peaceful approach.  We have marched through blizzards, in subzero temperatures, during government shutdowns, after terrorist attacks, and we will march again this year.

The underlying principle of the pro-life movement is respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and that is made obvious by the March for Life participants.  Marchers are primarily young people, and have a contagious joy as they fight to protect the poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable unborn.  We are marching against violence in the womb and bearing witness to love and the beautiful miracle of life."

"COLUMBIA: What signs of hope do you see that the pro-life cause is changing minds and hearts?

JEANNE MANCINI: There are so many tangible signs of hope!  The abortion rate and numbers are hitting historic lows — lower than any year since Roe v. Wade. Public opinion polls continue to reveal that most Americans believe abortion is morally wrong.  And contrary to Roe’s legacy of abortion on demand, the annual Knights of Columbus/Marist Poll shows that 75% of Americans would limit abortion to, at most, the first three months of pregnancy."

The number of abortion centers is decreasing and the number of pregnancy care centers is increasing. I recommend reading a wonderful report about these centers recently published by the Charlotte Lozier Institute titled A Legacy of Life and Love: Pregnancy Centers Stand the Test of Time.

Despite these signs of hope, the reality remains that more than 800,000 abortions occur annually and that any abortion takes the life of one and wounds another. All of this presents a heartbreakingly daunting task; our work to build a true culture of life is cut out for us."

Find more about the Knights of Columbus at  IWKnights9981.com/bulletin or in facebook.com/IWknights9981 and NOW on Twitter at twitter.com/IwKnights.

Links Related to this week’s column:

‘Together Strong’
	An interview with Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life, about the unity, growth and challenges of the pro-life cause.
		By Columbia Magazine Staff (1/1/2021)
			Click here for Website

Prayer for Protection in Time of Pandemic
	A Novena which seeks Our Lady’s Intercession for Protection in Time of Pandemic
		By His Holiness, Pope Francis (3/2020)
		A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION IN TIME OF PANDEMIC (PDF Version)
				Click here for the Prayer