Seven members of Respect Life, the University’s pro-life club, attended the Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg on Sept. 21.
The club’s founder and former president, Colleen Eisley, said she felt a sense of community at the march.
“It was awesome to see how many people were all there for the same reason,” she said.
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that abortion was a constitutional right in the case of Roe v. Wade.
Since then, pro-life marches have been held annually at both the state and national levels. Pennsylvania has hosted an annual march for life since 2021.
Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. This decision eliminated federal regulations on abortion and allowed states to create their own laws. Pennsylvania law allows for an abortion up to the 24th week of pregnancy.
Natalie Shaffer, who serves as treasurer of SFU’s Respect Life Club, was inspired by the march.
“It’s important to advocate for the unborn and it [the march] was a great opportunity to do that,” she said.
The day’s events included Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick and a march around the state capitol complex.
Pro-life leaders, including Monique Ruberu, Barbara Gleim and the Most Rev. Nelson Pérez spoke before the march.
Rick Santorum, a former U.S. senator for Pennsylvania and a staunch pro-life advocate, delivered the keynote address at the event.
Santorum spoke about his daughter, Bella, who has a disorder called Trisomy 18. Only 5 to 10 percent of babies born with this condition live past age 1.
Today, Bella is 18 years old.
“You may march today and there will be another hundred abortions in Pennsylvania tomorrow,” Santorum told those who gathered at last month’s rally. “But remember this – you’re doing what God has called you to do. You are doing His will. You are doing His work. You are standing for His truth.”
“Be fearless. Be courageous. Stand for life. Not just because God is calling you, because our country desperately needs that light, that witness to the dignity of all human life.”
Shaffer was moved by Santorum’s words at the rally.
“Choosing life had such a beautiful impact on his family,” she said.
The rally reminded Eisley that other people share her beliefs.
“It makes me happy to see that younger people are still marching and still passionate about this cause,” she said. “We need to be personally pro-life, but also publicly pro-life.”
Shaffer said it is important for people to advocate for what they believe in.
“If you have a position on anything, don’t hold it to yourself,” she said. “Show it through your actions.”
