It gives my heart great joy to see so many people here today… Today we stand together, united by a cause rooted in the deepest convictions of the human heart, Renata Milán Morales hears.
Since the 2018 referendum over 50,000 abortions have been carried in Ireland. In the most recent programmme for government we find the objective of ensuring “that all maternity hospitals provide equitable access to termination of pregnancy services.” The value of life is being measured on circumstances. “Terminating” a life is now seemingly a right. The debate about abortion is about more than abortion itself. The event began with a clear statement: “You have 50,000 reasons to be here,” said by Wendy Grace, MC at the March for Life held in Dublin on May 5.
Hope
However, despite these facts there is still hope. The March for Life began with a family gathering where children had their faces painted, among other activities. This was followed by a Mass at Newman University Church. Minutes before the march began, people from all backgrounds started to mingle. All came for the same reason: to protect the right to life. From Newman University Church to the Dáil, the streets began to fill with thousands of people. Banners showed the presence of people from Donegal, Galway, Belfast and other areas of the country. Children, teenagers and young adults were also present holding signs with messages such as ‘love life’, ‘protect them both’ and ‘pro-life, pro-woman, pro-baby’.
This year, the Pro-Life Campaign aim was to focus on “Ireland’s spiralling abortion numbers, the alarming new data on abortion trends based on information contained in replies to parliamentary questions, and our call for the Government to take immediate steps to ensure women prior to an abortion are not kept in the dark about the range of practical supports available.”
I thought I was doing what was best for our little baby girl at the time”
Recently elected Senator Sarah O’Reilly was present as one of the guest speakers. During her address to those present she expressed that, “it gives my heart great joy to see so many people here today… Today we stand together, united by a cause that transcends politics. A cause rooted in the deepest convictions of the human heart. The belief that every life matters and that women deserve better than abortion.”
Ruth O’Sullivan from Cork, whose video ‘The other side of abortion’ has accumulated 170,000 views, was also invited to speak at the march. “On the one hand I take full responsibility for my actions, our actions myself and my husband, and I’ve asked my husband on occasion a lot if he recalled anyone mentioning to us at the time that there were maybe other paths that we could have taken. And he said the same thing. There was no one that was brave enough to… I thought I was doing what was best for our little baby girl at the time. Whether it’s an unplanned pregnancy or a case like mine where we received a diagnosis. Abortion goes ahead. It’s irreversible. I find it astounding that the government presents the ‘courage approach’, which only pushes abortion as a model of best practise. What’s happening is having a truly devastating impact on the lives of many women, not to mention what it’s doing to the lives of our unborn babies… What about the wider societal impact? The Doctor who terminated the life of my baby came back a little later to pay his respects, and I remember clearly him saying ‘I’m very, very sorry for your loss’. Which is still bizarre when you think about it. The very person who ends the life of your baby says, ‘sorry for your loss’. It’s not natural.”
Voice
Wendy Grace, who is about to welcome her fourth child, also pointed out the fear she felt going to the 20 weeks scan, “People are being put under pressure now to have an abortion if something is wrong at a scan.” This statement shows the approach that is being taken in maternity hospitals.
Eilís Mulroy, CEO of the Pro-Life Campaign also spoke to those present, “This is our cause, and we will not stop until we see change. I say listen to our reasonable demands to those who think we are going to fall silent, think again of every woman who has been failed by the system. We see you, we hear you. We will continue to fight for you. Stay strong. Stay determined. Let’s continue to March together for women, for children, for life. Thank you again for being here.”
As the guest speakers addressed the thousands of people in attendance, the sound of the crowd’s engagement and response to the pro-life advocates’ words showed their commitment and care.
The March for Life gave a voice to women who, like Ruth O’Sullivan, are still battling the trauma of abortion. It also discussed how this issue could be tackled on a government level. Most importantly, it reinforced and encouraged those who attended to fight for this cause.
I have every confidence and belief that the pro-life work that you’ve done has saved many lives”
Wendy Grace concluded the event on a hopeful note, “I have every confidence and belief that the pro-life work that you’ve done has saved many lives. And even if it just saved one life and helped one mother. Wouldn’t it all be worthy? The time and the efforts that you put in is supporting women and their babies is saving lives. Thank you for that.”
