Participants in last year’s March for Life at the State Capitol. (Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)
By Alfred Hagen
Special to the Herald
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” [1 Corinthians 15:58]
We march first and foremost to raise our voices for the nearly 61 million unborn babies who have died from abortion since Jan. 22, 1973, when the Supreme Court of the United States legalized abortion at the national level. As Christians, if not as decent human beings, we march to give a voice to those who have had no voice, to those who are the most vulnerable and defenseless, to those who would say “No!” if they could answer the question: Should they be aborted.
We march for our unborn brothers and sisters who, through no fault of their own, have become victims of abortion. We now know irrefutably from science that at the moment of conception the human embryo has its own DNA distinct from the mother and father, meaning that it is a unique person. These pre-born, unique persons, like all of us, are created in God’s image and likeness. Created by God, we are all God’s children and thereby all spiritual brothers and sisters. As brothers and sisters, we are charged to protect and defend each other, especially those who have no means to defend themselves.
We march to give a voice to those victims suffering from abortion. Abortion physically destroys the unborn child, but the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact on its mother and father, its grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles can cause irreparable harm to the fabric of families. We march to give voice to those suffering the terrible consequences of abortion to let them know that there are compassionate healing services available, that through forgiveness and God’s mercy these victims can heal and become strong and forceful witnesses themselves to the evil of abortion.
We march to raise our voices to our Hawaii elected politicians to re-visit, review, and reverse the abortion policies implemented in March 1970, three years before the Roe v. Wade decision nearly 50 years ago. Data shows that since 1970, more than 150,000 keiki have been killed by abortion in Hawaii. We also raise our voices to tell our politicians that there is a growing trend against abortion, that our youth are beginning to understand that they themselves could have been aborted. We march to bring awareness to our politicians that, because the right to life is the basis of all natural and God-given rights, legislation upholding the sanctity of human life must be enacted to guarantee these rights for all.
So in conjunction with the January Word of Life, the Nine Days for Life Novena, and the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children — all happening in January — let’s come together to raise our voices at the 47th Annual March for Life on Thursday, Jan. 16, 4-6 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol Rotunda where Bishop Larry Silva and other faith leaders will be speaking and marching for life.
For those suffering from having had an abortion or from having participated in one who are looking for a place of confidential healing and comfort, please call or contact Rachel’s Vineyard (808) 349-5071, RVinHawaii@gmail.com; website rachelsvineyard.org and/or Project Rachel (888) 456-HOPE, projectrachel@rcchawaii.org
