Diocese of East Anglia wants to fill key Curia job roles
October 20, 2024
Radio Maria expands into 3 new East Anglia regions
October 22, 2024
Show all

Bishop Peter joins 10,000 at March for Life in London

This year’s March for Life in London was the most successful yet, with police estimates of some 8,000-10,000 people walking together in support of the most vulnerable members of our society, babies in the womb. They included Bishop Peter Collins and a number of East Anglian parishioners. Sarah Ward from Withermarsh Green, Suffolk, reports.


This is the 8th year that our family has taken part and for anyone who hasn’t been, I would highly recommend it as an event that the whole family can attend.

The day starts with “Lifefest” at the Emmanuel Centre in central London. This is an opportunity for all the various pro-life groups in the UK to set out their stalls and talk about their areas of work. Groups include political lobbyists, student associations, crisis pregnancy support, and post-abortion healing. People often ask if it is okay to bring young children to the March for Life and I would wholeheartedly say “yes” – the atmosphere is overwhelmingly joyful and there is no graphic or inappropriate material on display – it really is a celebration of the beauty and intrinsic value of life in the womb.

During Lifefest, there are various activities and games for children of all ages and every effort is made for children to have fun. There is also an auditorium where more serious panel discussions and talks take place, bringing together experts in various fields. This year the theme of the March for Life was “abortion isn’t healthcare”, so a number of medical professionals spoke during the morning (videos of all talks can be seen at www.marchforlife.co.uk).

One of my older children, Alastair, was manning the photo booth this year and snapping attendees as they arrived. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to catch one very special attendee, Bishop Peter Collins, but he did manage to grab him for a photo shortly before the march set off (pictured above)! The presence of five bishops this year was a real blessing and we thank them enormously for their courageous act of public witness.

Many young people attend the March for Life and for a lot of them it is a permanent fixture in the calendar. Speaking to quite a few, it can be a lonely experience finding yourself to be the only pro-life student in a classroom or amongst peers. But the March for Life helps them to realise they are not alone and it fortifies them with encouragement and knowledge. For me, it has been heartening to watch my own children develop their own interest in this most pressing issue, taking on various volunteer roles, and becoming the “pro-life generation”.

The “other side” of the debate was present this year outside the Emmanuel Centre and at the end of the march at Parliament Square, Westminster. Though their numbers weren’t huge, they made a big noise and attempted to drown out the pro-life speakers – but to no avail. Year on year, the “pro-choicers” have shown themselves to be angry, noisy, and unwilling to engage with reasoned debate. It is a stark contrast to the smiles, joy, and hope that emanate from those marching for life.

See you at the March for Life next year!

Pictured above are Bishop Peter Collins and Alastair Ward at this year’s March for Life, and below, some young marchers from across the UK, including from East Anglia, with a banner.

 

Comments