You will see in
this week's issue of the Western Catholic Reporter a letter from me, written on behalf of the Bishops of
Alberta and the Northwest Territories, encouraging you to join us in this
year's Alberta March for Life on Thursday, May 8.
As you may know, in 2011 we
Bishops had decided not to participate in the March because of the significant presence in it of graphic images of aborted children. Our stand against the use of such images
in the March has not changed. However, the organizers of the March for Life, to their great credit, have made
wonderful efforts to ensure that these graphic images will not be present in
the March. Indeed, it has been reported to us that they were not part of last
year's March at all. This has paved the way for the return of the Bishops to
the March, and we are pleased to do so.
Scheduling conflicts will prevent the
presence of a few of us this year, but we are united in our desire to give our
visible support once again. As I note in our letter: "The March is a very important and increasingly urgent act of witness
before society to the beauty and dignity of human life. In accord with the
directives given to the whole Church by His Holiness, Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium, our March must be joyful and celebratory of the wondrous gift of life,
since all that we do as Christians must radiate joy."
Let us together give joyful witness to
the beauty of life! We hope to see you at the March!
