SFU to Host March for Life on Campus
This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade court decision in 1973. Norma McCorvey – better known as “Jane Roe” – said she was raped and sought an abortion in Texas.
Texas district attorney Henry Wade argued that all abortions should be legal in the United States and he prevailed in court. Today, the right to an abortion is the law of the land across the country.
“When you buy a tool or appliance, and something breaks, you throw it away and you get a new one,” said Paul Girardi, associate director of Campus Ministry at SFU.
“When you get something and it’s not exactly what you thought it was, you bring it back to the store. We live in this consumerist, this materialistic society, where you get rid of something you don’t want. And I think that mentality—that throw-away, disposable mentality has permeated marriages, and it’s hurt them.
“I also think it’s creeped into the attitude of conception.”
SFU students and faculty have regularly participated in the “March for Life,” an annual pro-life rally to protest abortion.
“The March for Life in Washington is to come together as a people of faith, to show solidarity for the pro-life cause,” said Girardi. “People are uniting their thoughts, their prayers – and in D.C. – their presence.”
Next month, the national March for Life will take place on Jan. 22.
A march on campus will also be celebrated on Jan. 22 in conjunction with the national event.
The campus event will start with the prayer of the rosary in the chapel at 10:30 a.m. The campus march begins at 11 a.m., with a mass at the chapel to follow at noon. The march will take place around the mall, starting and ending at the chapel.
This year marks the fourth annual campus March for Life. Girardi said it’s sometimes hard for students to get out of classes to make the trip to Washington, D.C.
The march on campus, said Girardi, provides an opportunity for students and community members to unite for this cause in Loretto.
Matt Fraley, a sophomore digital media and marketing double-major, attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C., during his sophomore year of high school.
“It was a really great experience for me,” said Fraley. “Just being present and seeing how much people really cared about life and how much people said abortion is wrong and that life begins at conception.”
Bobby Anderson, director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development at SFU, also serves as the grand knight of the Knights of Columbus branch on campus.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternity for Catholic men that was founded in 1882. The group has been active on campus for two and a half years and will co-host next month’s March for Life.
“It still allows students to participate,” said Anderson. “To help witness the teachings of the Church and with regards to the topic of abortion, and do it in their hometown-friendly neighborhood – Saint Francis University.”
