Scottish Catholic Observer

The ‘relentless energy of the pro-life movement’ was on full display in Birmingham last Saturday as a delegation of Scots took part in the thousands-strong march against abortion as the Royal College of Midwives announced its support for allowing abortion to full term without consulting members.

The fifth annual March for Life took place last Saturday—ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Abortion Act 1967—having grown from a gathering of 70 people in 2012 to the estimated 2000 who took part on Saturday.

Pro-life campaigners from Scotland, some as young as 9, made an 18-hour long round trip to take part in the event that included speakers such as Ryan Bomberger from the US, who was conceived in rape; Bishop David McGough, Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham; and Canadian author and campaigner Stephanie Gray, whose father is Scottish and who sought out the Scottish delegation on the day.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Scotland (SPUC Scotland) organised transport to the march for pro-lifers such as student Lily Kearns. “One thing that really stuck with me was when one speaker at the March made reference to the words of Martin Luther King Jr on the importance of loving your opponents: ‘Whom we would change, we must first love,’” she said.

“Giving a voice to the mothers and children who do not have one is a worthy cause and standing up against the injustice of abortion is both a needed and a necessary fight,” student Clare Deighan said.

Louise Grant from SPUC Scotland said the young people she works with are so committed because there is ‘enjoyment in celebrating life.’

Nine-year-old Sarah Stewart said the march had been a fun and happy time, while Cara O’Neill, 11, said ‘If I had a magic wand I would get rid of abortion.’

The March for Life took place as controversy emerged around the Royal College of Midwives’ support for removing the legal term limits on abortion. The RCM’s Chief Executive Cathy Warwick—chairwoman of abortion provider the British Pregnancy Advisory Service—said a campaign to decriminalise abortion had the union’s full support, a decision taken by the board without consulting members. More than 20,000 people have signed an online petition against the decision.

The RCM previously supported NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in its legal fight against midwives Mary Doogan and Connie Wood, who were calling for the right to conscientiously object to participating in abortion in any way. Ms Doogan, who was at March for Life, told the SCO that she was ‘absolutely convinced that the majority of midwives would be opposed to the position’ taken by the RCM.

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—This story ran in full in the May 20 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.