Largest Pro-Life March in UK History

Left to right, Bishop Ralph Heskett CSsR, the Bishop of Hallam, Bishop Patrick McKinney, the Bishop of Nottingham, Thomas McKenna, President of Catholic Action for Faith and Family and Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop of Paisley.

Dear Friend, 

I recently traveled to London for an event and to meet with clergy and other leaders which I will share in an upcoming email. While I was there I participated in the annual March for Life. I was very edified to meet many of the same inspiring faithful and clergy I have met at our March for Life in Washington.

Record numbers took part in this year’s March for Life UK which was held in central London on Saturday 3rd Sept. It seems that the overturning of Roe v Wade has had quite a ripple effect across the ocean as more young people than ever paraded through the streets in a lively procession which ended in a gathering at Parliament Square where the charm of Big Ben in the background added to the scene.

Madeline Page, CEO of The Alliance of Pro-life Students said “We’ve seen a steady increase in the amount of young people wanting to take part in pro-life events since the news from America, many of these are stepping out for the first time and feel that since this issue is being talked about more, it’s now acceptable to disclose their beliefs.”

One of the keynote speakers at this year’s event was Shawn Carney, founder and President of 40 Days for Life, the largest international pro-life organization in the world. Shawn was invited to address the faithful and began his speech with a resounding: ”Greetings from an abortion free Texas!” Shawn then went on to remind those present of the words of Mother Teresa; “When America ends abortion, the world will follow.”

Numerous UK speakers stood alongside Shawn Carney, including Hayley, who shared her testimony of coerced abortion and Amrita, who took the first set of abortion pills only to experience an instant feeling of regret and contacted Dr Dermot Kearney (also a speaker on the day) who prescribed Amrita with what is known as “The Abortion Reversal Pill” treatment which successfully saved the life of her baby. The then cheered as Amrita showed held up her beautiful, healthy, baby girl. Several Catholic bishops attended and addressed the participants. Bishop Patrick McKinney from the diocese of Nottingham enthusiastically spoke of how our faith in God will ultimately lead to victory. Another bishop, John Keenan from the diocese of Paisley in Scotland, rode many hours on a bus with faithful from Glasgow. The event was supported by pro-life organizations from across the UK.

Fifty or so abortion supporters who had gathered in protest were dwarfed by the more than 7,000 strong crowd of March for Life UK who chanted their theme “10 Million Too Many’.” Ben Thatcher, one of the organizers of the event, explained that that was the number of abortions which have occurred since the Abortion Act was passed in the UK. Co-director. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce shared her concerns at the current abortion laws which permit abortion up to 24 weeks for almost any reason and up until birth for downs syndrome or a “disability” inside the womb. She stated “That’s not politics, that’s not religion, that’s science.”

Your friend in Christ,

Thomas J McKenna

Founder and President

Catholic Action for Faith and Family
http://www.catholicaction.org/

P.S. If you have not submitted your intentions for Three Holy Masses invoking St. Padre Pio, please do so now.

Photo Gallery

The March spread over many blocks

Parliament Square where the rally culminated

Thomas McKenna with Sean Carney, keynote speaker and founder of 40 Days for Life, and the March organizer