Father Larry Lynn, pro-life chaplain for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, sees “something wonderful” happening as the May 14 March for Life goes virtual from coast to coast, starting with a vigil tonight.
“For once we can actually have a truly national march,” he said. “By participating, we can learn so much about the pro-life movement across Canada, exchange ideas, support each other, have access to films, attend nationwide church services and livestreaming Masses all for the cause of life.”
The annual March for Life in Victoria was cancelled this year, but organizers are throwing their support behind the National March for Life as it moves online.
Father Lynn urged people to “get on board and share the experience with others.”
In Ottawa, the annual pilgrimage that normally culminates in a rally with thousands of pro-life Canadians marching through the streets of the nation’s capital will be a shared experience across the country over the internet.
Ottawa Archbishop Terrence Prendergast will celebrate the 23rd National March for Life Mass at 9 a.m. PT. The Mass, which the archbishop said has been a “springtime highlight of Catholic life in the capital,” will take place in an empty church and livestreamed.
Campaign Life Coalition, which has organized the largest annual pro-life event in Canada since 1998, will start a week-long online program on May 10 that will continue through to the day of the march, which marks the May 14, 1969, passing of the omnibus bill that opened the floodgates to abortion on demand in Canada. See details below.
“This initiative will also bring awareness to the killing occurring at the other end of the spectrum, near the end of life, with a focus on the proposed expansions to Canada’s euthanasia law,” said a statement from the march organizing committee.
Online activities on MarchForLife.ca include a pro-life film festival May 10 to 12. Among the films, which start at 5 p.m. PT each night, are Fatal Flaws: Legalizing Assisted Death, which will include a conversation with Euthanasia Prevention Coalition executive director Alex Schadenberg.
Other events include a virtual candlelight vigil, online religious services, and a live-streamed virtual rally with guests from Canada and around the world.
The March for Life will also be carried live by EWTN from 10 to 11:30 a.m. PT. Hosted by international pro-life speakers Kevin Dunn and Stephanie Gray, it will focus on life issues facing Canadians and rebuilding a culture of life in Canada.
The online events will conclude May 15 with a virtual pro-life webinar geared toward youth.
An organizer said this year’s event may reach more people than usual and could offer a template on maintaining the march’s online presence in future.
“For all those who have always wanted to attend in the past but couldn’t, now they can participate,” said Debbie Duval, national capital organizer for the Campaign Life Coalition. “And for those who were going to attend, they can still participate this year.”
For supporters of the event, its pro-life message is even more important as Canada becomes an increasingly secular country in the public sphere. Archbishop Prendergast shared on Twitter a National Catholic Register column extolling the need for pro-life Canadians to keep speaking out.
Entitled “A Letter from Canada,” the column was written by David Mulroney, former president and vice-chancellor of the University of St. Michael’s College and Canada’s ambassador to China from 2009-12.
“Although it’s easy to feel discouraged by the hostility of what passes for the great and the good in a now deeply secular Canada, the pro-life community is remarkably resilient, even in the face of the added challenges posed by this season of pandemic. Perhaps they know something that others don’t,” wrote Mulroney,.
“In the 17th century, French Récollets missionaries named St. Joseph the patron saint of Canada. As I prepare to participate, even if only virtually, in this year’s March for Life, I am struck by how apt this is, and of how much my beloved but increasingly hard-hearted country needs the patronage of the quiet, humble, and ever-faithful protector of the infant Jesus.”
March for Life highlights (all times PDT)
May 10, 11 & 12
Pro-life film festival featuring free online screenings of Strings Attached with producer Obianuju Ekeocha, short films Crescendo and Sing a Little Louder with film producer Jason Jones, and Fatal Flaws: Legalizing Assisted Death with film producer Alex Schadenberg. All films at 5 p.m.
May 13
Pro-life Mass in memory of Fr. Alphonse de Valk, CSB, at 3 p.m.
Virtual Candlelight Vigil for victims of abortions at 5 p.m.
May 14
National Mass for Life from Ottawa’s Notre-Dame Cathedral at 9 a.m.
Be Not Afraid Canadian Pro-Life Special on EWTN from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Virtual Pro-life Rally and March for Life at 11:30 a.m.
May 15
Free Pro-Life Webinar exclusively for youth hosted by CLC Youth & Niagara Region Right to Life (registration required) from 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Official closing event, a free screening of the film Because of Grácia at 5 p.m.
All events will be streamed on marchforlife.ca. See the full schedule here.
With B.C. Catholic files
