By Katie Vasquez
Pro-life activists were out on the city streets this weekend, continuing the fight for life despite the recent passing of a pro-abortion measure.
“It’s unfortunate that the majority of the population, especially in New York, don’t understand what abortion actually does, especially to the woman. It’s murder of an unborn child. and we’ve been trying to get that message out there,” said Witness for Life member, Tom Mourino.
Last Tuesday more than 60% of voters in New York said yes to proposition one,
a measure that enshrines abortion on demand with no restrictions at any point during pregnancy into the state’s constitution.
Although disappointed by the outcome, Witness for Life, a group that advocates for the unborn- was outside Planned Parenthood on Court street Saturday.
“This proposition just started another layer of concern for us, for the family, for the caring of children, for the parents, ability, their right to care for their children,” said Witness for Life member, Omar Castro. “So it encourages us to continue with prayer. We know that God exists. We know that our prayers are heard and they are answered.”
Before bringing their prayers to the streets, some pro-lifers celebrated mass at nearby St Charles Borromeo church, where Father Eamon Murray spoke about the ballot measure and encouraged parishioners to keep fighting for the unborn.
“The election and the grace of God has given us a moment of grace,” said Witness for Life member, Father Eamon Murray. “Let’s be honest. Really, this is a moment of grace that God has given us. So many people have prayed and many good people. So we must not waste it or think everything is done. No, we have to pray for revival. We have to pray that America will turn back to God, the whole world.”
Witness for Life started the day optimistic.
“Onward, christian soldiers, we have no reason to despair that one day evil will completely disappear,” said Father Murray.
And even with negative comments by people passing by, they know they have to be strong for the unborn.
“We’re getting a lot of middle fingers and people are saying nasty remarks,” said Mourino. “So it’s we still have a lot of work to do, a lot of ground to cover.”
They plan to keep coming back every second Saturday, hoping to change the hearts and minds of others.
“I see that our effort is bearing fruit and we continue,” said Castro. “We continue. we know that god is with us and, we see also, the effect that it’s having on the, on the public and we just continue with prayer.”
The Bishops of New York are committed to helping moms in need.
They have a resources page, designed to find a pro-life center near you.
Just go to nyscatholic.org/helpformoms
There’s also a statewide map that directs you to local Catholic parishes that have ministries available.