B.C. March for Life and pandemic ‘lining up’ to show dignity of life

For the second year in a row, pro-lifers were prevented from gathering by the thousands on Government Street and the lawn in front of the legislature buildings in Victoria due to various pandemic and travel related restrictions.

After cancelling the event last year, organizers planned a virtual pro-life rally for 2021, encouraging participants to display signs or march with life-affirming messages around their neighbourhoods, then tune into presentations from well-known pro-lifers online.

“United in our love for one another and preborn brothers and sisters, their mothers, and families, there is so much we can do,” said Father Mark McGuckin who emceed the virtual rally from the John Paul II Pastoral Centre May 13.

“Let’s keep up our zeal, our passion, doing our Lord’s will … not looking at the looming threats… but standing firm in the love of God and proclaiming what we know to be true, good and beautiful.”

The virtual rally included musical performances from children in two Catholic schools and presentations about the pro-life movement from all angles, from those who speak out against abortion, to those who serve mothers in crisis, to those who have advocated for protection of the vulnerable from euthanasia.

Key speakers included pro-life apologist Stephanie Gray Connors, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition head Alex Schadenberg, Delta Hospice Society head Angelina Ireland, Sister of Life Sister Mary Grace, and long-time pro-life activist Mary Wagner.

“As Mother Teresa said, ‘love begins at home.’ Love is the foundation of the Gospel of life, which is why we are here gathered today, as much as we can be, to celebrate life, to renew our commitment to life, and to pray,” said Wagner.

“I believe that as much as we are called by the word ‘marching’ to march, to be active, to be out there - our foundation has to be one of prayer.”

Two politicians, MPs Cathay Wagantall and Tamara Jansen, also addressed participants. Wagantall recently made headlines for introducing a private member’s bill aiming to criminalize abortion done solely because the parents don’t want a child of a certain sex.

“Most Canadians believe abortion access has gone too far and they want a law against this practice. Canadians have realized that we are not polarized the way some media, fake feminists, and pro abortion extremists want us to think that we are,” she said.

“In Canada it’s time, now, to protect baby girls.”

Jansen said while she wished the crowd could gather in front of the legislature buildings this year, she hopes making the march a neighbourhood affair has a wider impact.

“Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable among us,” she said. “Changes starts at home, one discussion at a time.”

Archbishop J. Michael Miller also expressed his sadness at being unable to gather in Victoria as he offered Mass for the March for Life at Holy Rosary Cathedral before the rally.

“This year’s March for Life in British Columbia is once again curtailed in the outward expression of its enthusiasm because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic,” he said in his homily.

“I can’t help but mention that I miss the exuberance of the crowd, the busloads of students, the full church, the thrill of hearing speakers in person. Nonetheless, in this virtual way to which we have all become accustomed in the last year, we can still pray, and pray perhaps even more fervently, for the cause that we hold so dear.”

He said the march is for him a “refreshing moment” that shows despite challenges people are still willing to make a public stand for the pro-life cause.

“We can be imaginative and creative in the different ways we can foster a pro-life attitude even in those places that don’t welcome us,” he said.

“Our ultimate mission, after all, isn’t to succeed in political terms, but to bear witness to the truth.”

Bishop Gary Gordon of Victoria offered a virtual “welcome” to his city with a short video message.

“The March for Life and the pandemic are lining up to really point out to us the dignity of the human person and the fact that we are truly interconnected,” he said.

“We know that when we accompany those who are hurting, those who are fragile, those who are elderly, those who are vulnerable, it causes a choice for life. Accompaniment and love cause a choice for life. This is our work, this is the Gospel, this is what we are marching for, that we all take up that wonderful cause to love. That love is greater than any virus and any death and any suffering and any darkness.”

Pastor Jeremy Segstro from Cloverdale Canadian Reformed Church also saw a connection between the pandemic and a march for life.

“Giving reasons such as the fear of death and the importance of life, the world has begun to look drastically different in the last year and a half. The government is willing to pour millions of dollars into the health care system for life, and yet at the same time they are unwilling to protect life in the womb,” he said.

“The sanctity of life, they say, extends all the way one way – the very old were the first in line to receive vaccines – yet it does not extend the other way, to the beginning, to the womb. With all this talk about the most vulnerable in our society, the truly most vulnerable, those with no voice at all, are still dying.”

The virtual march had low live participation compared to past years; about 25 viewers streamed the virtual rally and about 120 viewed the Mass with Archbishop Miller. The event in Victoria has in past years typically hovered around 2,000 participants.

Organizers say they hope the numbers will increase as people watch the recording later  with their families.

Also on May 13, the National March for Life in Ottawa went ahead with a smaller than usual crowd on Parliament Hill and a livestream for those participating from home. Several Canadian politicians and pro-life activists were key speakers there.

All speeches given during the March for Life Victoria rally can be viewed here.

Did you display a sign near your home for the March for Life this year? Send your photos to [email protected].