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Archbishop Naumann, Gov.
Brownback lead March for Life in Topeka
Part Three of Five By Kathy Ostrowski and Mary Kay Culp An estimated 1,500 Kansas pro-lifers braved the cold and snow to march through the state's capitol, in Topeka, Friday, January 21, to the Kansans for Life Rally for Life. Elsewhere that day at least 700 Kansans boarded buses for the two-day trip to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. which was commemorated January 24.
The Topeka events included workshops and Mass celebrated by Kansas City Archbishop Joseph Naumann, who gave the invocation to rally attendees, and who also said the opening prayer at the national March for Life rally. Pro-life lawmakers at the event were introduced to an enthusiastic crowd. Phil Stacey, of American Idol fame, beautifully sang the national anthem. The Kansans for Life (KFL) 2010 state oratory contest winner, Trisha Herbert, who placed third nationally, gave her winning speech. KFL State Executive Director, Mary Kay Culp spoke of the recently publicized "House of Horrors" abortion clinic in Pennsylvania, comparing it to a similar clinic in urban Kansas City, Kansas. (See Part x.) Culp noted that inspections of clinics in Pennsylvania stopped when the pro-life administration of Gov. Robert Casey was replaced by the pro-abortion administration of Gov. Tom Ridge. Referring to Kansas's new governor, Sam Brownback, Culp said, "We now have a Governor’s change ourselves, one that goes in the right direction. Gov. Brownback will sign, not veto, a clinic licensing bill. He will sign, not veto, HB 2035 to enforce existing pro-life laws. He will sign, not veto any pro-life bill laid on his desk.” Indeed what a stunning difference pro-life Kansans experienced this year as Gov. Brownback, not only addressed their rally for the first time ever, but also attended the earlier Mass for Life and proudly marched in the freezing cold to the rally alongside hundreds of Kansas students and their families. In his remarks, Brownback thanked the marchers and said, "We gather today for a celebration of life. Every human life is sacred," and "never forget that this message is one of kindness, hope and compassion." He continued, "The last century witnessed the greatest crimes against humanity in the whole catalog of our existence. Most of these crimes began with a denial that the other person was even a person." On Monday, Jan. 24 an additional 400 pro-life pilgrims, organized by the Wichita Catholic diocese, traveled to rally and pray outside the Kansas capitol. In Washington, Reps. Mike Pompeo and Tim Huelskamp spoke at the March for Life while Rep. Kevin Yoder addressed a gathering of Kansans at a reception after the March. To do the best job possible I need your feedback on Today's News & Views and National Right to Life News Today. Please send your comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com. If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/daveha. |
