March for Life in D.C.

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lwest

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First off, I pray that the march is successful and that hearts and legislation is changed to reflect what is good in the eyes of God. I do have to wonder, though, if we Catholics haven’t failed the pro-life movement by sending mixed messages. When we pooh-pooh the sex abuse scandal and roll our eyes whenever it is mentioned (as if molesting children isn’t a heinous crime) and when we refuse to befriend and reach out to the disabled (how many Catholic parishes don’t even bother to have accessible bathrooms?)…when we don’t even know our faith half the time or pump up the teachings to fit our needs then judge everyone around us based on our own bias…are we failing the Church? Do we lose credibility in the eyes of the pro-abortion people? If we got our act together and truly tried to practice what we preach, would there be more openness to the pro-life mentatlity?

For example, I have a handicapped daughter and every ‘good’ Catholic I know won’t have anything to do with her. Children mock her and the parents say nothing to correct them. I could write a book about the times she’s been shunned and ignored. Their mentality is 2 steps away from eugenics: “You don’t deserve to be my friend”…“You don’t deserve to be alive”. Maybe we need to walk the walk…put our pro-life ideals into everyday practice. Stop pointing fingers and start looking in the mirror. Maybe then people would want to ‘come home’ to us and see abortion for the evil that it is. I’m just venting…thanks for listening.
 
I sympathize with your frustrations. There is certainly no lack of evidence for the fact that we are all sinners who need to grow in virtue.

I think your advice is good advice (how can growing in holiness be bad advice? ;)). I think it was Ghandi that quipped he would become Christian if he ever met one. Peter Kreeft always points out that the biggest obstacle to people becoming Christian is Christians. Since we are all sinners striving for perfection, we will inevitably fall short of practicing what we preach.

I would issue a caution about generalizations, though (venting can tend to come off as a generalization even though I’m sure you don’t mean it that way ;)). I think there is a tendency with all of us to lump certain groups together, which can lead us to blame one group of people for the actions of another. There is also a tendency among us to blame the actions of an individual (or several individuals) on the entire group to which they claim membership. Certainly, any truly pro-life and/or Christian person should not say such horrible things about someone with a disability. That any Christian would say such a thing is regrettable, but that doesn’t mean all Christians or all pro-life people are doing it. Many, many Christians and pro-life people do have their act together.

The scandal comes in because a few bad apples often spoil the whole bunch. One mentally unbalanced individual who claims to be pro-life, yet kills an abortionist causes untold damage to the pro-life movement. Even if 99% of all pro-lifers are nothing like such a person, for those who do not wish to consider the pro-life position, one negative example is all it takes to justify rejecting it.

I think the solution is to simply do our best to live out a Christian life so that we can at least make the pro-life and/or Christian position more credible to the people we know. Even if every other Christian someone meets is a poor example, they can at least have you as a good example. 🙂

As an aside, I would just mention that some Catholic parishes do not have handicap accessible bathrooms not because they don’t want to but simply because they either do not have the money or the structure of the Church is not conducive to such refurbishments. This is especially true for older, smaller parishes. Most parishes I’ve seen have at least tried to make some accommodations. I think it will just take time.
 
I too pray that God’s Will be evident in the Pro Life struggle we face in our country.

You are right that people need to practice what they preach. I am not one for preaching. I think…" They will know you are Christians by your love." Love is what is called for in this day in age. Love is what is called for with your child. Love and Prayer and Sacrifice is our mightiest weapon.

It is a shame people can’t see the joy that a handicapped child has. I am sorry that you have experienced such negativity. Pro Life means love all of God’s people from conception untill our last breath. Don’t let the faults of others bring you down. I will keep you in my prayers.
 
Thank you, you two, for the encouraging words. and, you’re right, I’m not trying to generalize. i do know better but when the little corner of your world seems to be that way, it’s hard not to. I’ve even wondered if I even belong in the Catholic Church. I know Jesus wants us there…nobody else seems to. But I do offer up this ‘spiritual suffering’ and maybe it can do some good for someone somewhere. I also know Our Lord tosses us in the proverbial furnace to refine us. I’m just at a low point right now…I’m even catching myself asking Our Lord to ‘throw my daughter a bone’. I know I’m supposed to surrender and trust but lately it feels like my prayers are just blowing in the wind. intellectually I know that’s not true. Thanks, again, for letting me vent and offering some words of comfort. And, no, my life isn’t bad…just some medical things going on with my daughter, some financial things that just about everyone is going through right now, this and that…nothing earth shattering. Just me being weak. thank, again.
 
I love the quote attributed to St. Francis of Asissi,

“Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words.”

lwest, you are right we fail as Christians to preach the gospel when we act in an un-Christ like way.

We must always be mindful that our actions speak not only to our character and standing in our community but to our faith as well.

As a mom of a high functioning autistic child (well at 22 he is hardly a child now) I understand your pain. Forgive the human weaknesses of fear and ignorance, they are what drives the mistreatment of your daughter.
 
I just find it really disturbing that I have not been able to find any media coverage on todays march. They always have time to announce the next celebrity wedding however.:mad:
 
Dear lwest, Are there any support groups in your area for families of children with your child’s disability? You mentioned being in a low time, and support really helps. If there are no groups in your area, you’ll certainly find support on the internet. I have three children w/ high functioning autism, and support groups, the internet, and counselling have been very helpful.

As for the March, there was coverage for a short time this morning on Fox. My children and I were at the March for Life in DC last year, and it was truly amazing the lack of coverage in the local media. A quarter of a million people peacefully protested, but the only real coverage was on EWTN. Jesus told us that we would be rejected, like He was rejected, so I guess it shouldn’t surprise us when we’re rejected by the mainstream media. Even so, we will keep marching! God Bless.

PS Please stay with a Catholic Church - the Lord is feeding your soul with the eucharist
 
Luvs2Learn said:
I just find it really disturbing that I have not been able to find any media coverage on todays march. They always have time to announce the next celebrity wedding however.:mad:
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I have gone to the march several times and then I come home to see if they covered it, and it is NEVER covered. When reported, they under-report the numbers.
 
I’ve been searching for a story, too, and have found none. Even Fox doesn’t have it! EWTN is all there is, I guess.
 
Hello! I watched the coverage on EWTN too but was checking other channels at the same time to see if anyone else was covering it. At the start of the march B H Obama was conducting a townhall meeting so all networks were on him, of course. After that FOX had coverage of a dog that was stranded in the middle of a river in CA while people attempted a rescue. (Hey, I love dogs - have 3 rescued ones myself at the moment but REALLY, people! There are babies at risk all the time!) Over on CNN they were discussing the trial of the man who murdered G. Tiller! Timely, don’t you think? One lawyer said ‘defense of the unborn’ reasoning wouldn’t hold up because Tiller wasn’t aborting anyone at the time of his murder. The accused would have to have done it in the abortuary during a procedure, at least. And another lawyer said he (the first lawyer) should be careful about giving legal advice to the ‘nuts out there.’ I turned back to EWTN and left it there after that. Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
 
I couldn’t attend but I did go virtually via a pro life website and over 74,000 people marched this way too

have also been burning a sand candle since midnight saying protect life…I think we might be seeing the beginnings of a turning tide praise God
 
Over 300,000 people in attendance and we have to rely on the average Joe citizen who attended the March to be the media.
 
I just got off the telephone with my boss, the Dicoesan Director of Respect Life who is there with 150 high school students from our diocese. She told me that the march was “the longest march that I have ever seen. It took hours to walk two miles. The number of people was incfredible, shoulder to should, and all flushed against each other.” She has been going every year for more than 10 years. She said that this was the biggest group that she has ever seen. That’s a great thing.

Just thought I’d share that for those who can’t get information.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
How wonderful and my candle is still burning on my front porch…I am keeping it lit until midnight

Not much I know…but it’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness
 
lwest said:
Thank you, you two, for the encouraging words. and, you’re right, I’m not trying to generalize. i do know better but when the little corner of your world seems to be that way, it’s hard not to. I’ve even wondered if I even belong in the Catholic Church. I know Jesus wants us there…nobody else seems to. But I do offer up this ‘spiritual suffering’ and maybe it can do some good for someone somewhere. I also know Our Lord tosses us in the proverbial furnace to refine us. I’m just at a low point right now…I’m even catching myself asking Our Lord to ‘throw my daughter a bone’. I know I’m supposed to surrender and trust but lately it feels like my prayers are just blowing in the wind. intellectually I know that’s not true. Thanks, again, for letting me vent and offering some words of comfort. And, no, my life isn’t bad…just some medical things going on with my daughter, some financial things that just about everyone is going through right now, this and that…nothing earth shattering. Just me being weak. thank, again.
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Oh gosh, I have never seen a group of Christians more open to disabled people than the Catholic church! It’s true that many older churches may not be very handicapped accessible, but that is true of older buildings in general and not just Catholic churches.

Before my husband converted, we had been in many protestant churches and close to several congregations. In never saw anything like the inclusiveness I have seen in ever Catholic parish I’ve been part of. In fact, in one local church, a young handicapped woman was basically run out of the church because she was “so much trouble” to deal with for the church staff. In Catholic churches, I have seen priests and lay people go out of their way to welcome disabled people. I also see that the families (maybe because they feel so welcome) are consistant in bringing their handicapped children to Mass and activities. That makes them less “weird” for other people because they are familiar with that person and her needs. It also helps the diabled person become comfortable with the building, routine, and people.

I will be paying for you and your daughter!
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luvs2Learn forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
I just find it really disturbing that I have not been able to find any media coverage on todays march. They always have time to announce the next celebrity wedding however.:mad:​

Perhaps instead of remaining silent we might contact our media Letters, Phonecalls, E-mail. Let them know how disappointed we are. We need to find our voices and stand up for our faith.

Hummm sounds like a challange :rolleyes:
 
Disciple4Christ said:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Luvs2Learn forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif
I just find it really disturbing that I have not been able to find any media coverage on todays march. They always have time to announce the next celebrity wedding however.:mad:​

Perhaps instead of remaining silent we might contact our media Letters, Phonecalls, E-mail. Let them know how disappointed we are. We need to find our voices and stand up for our faith.

Hummm sounds like a challange :rolleyes:
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Check out your local TV station websites. There may be something available for people to send in their own pictures or videos.
 
I just came back from the march.

CSPAN was there. I wonder if they showed anything…
 
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