Lutherans march for life

Lutherans take part in the 2015 March for Life in Ottawa.

by James Morgan

OTTAWA – The 2015 March for Life took place in Ottawa on May 14. Lutherans for Life-Canada (LFL-C) maintained its tradition of participating in the march with 30 people taking part to raise awareness against abortion and euthanasia in Canada. The annual event is organized by the Campaign Life Coalition and the theme for this year was “Let Life Win.”

The day began with a morning worship service at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Participants then went to Parliament Hill where the march began at noon. LFL-C President Cliff Pyle says organizers estimated 25,000 people participated in the march rather than the 10,000 estimated by the RCMP. President Pyle says various churches were represented but adds there were also secular pro-life participants from atheist and humanist organizations.

Several guest speakers were featured on Parliament Hill including Eric Metaxas who has written a book about British slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce and is also the creator of the popular Christian-themed animated series Veggie Tales. Ten Members of Parliament and three Senators, all from the Conservative caucus, participated. Also present was former Liberal MP Pat O’Brien who was among the former MP’s to speak against leader Justin Trudeau’s plan to require all Liberal MP’s to vote against any legislation that would restrict access to abortion.

President Pyle says the focus of the March for Life continues to be on opposing abortion in Canada and working towards political solutions to end or restrict it. Less attention at this year’s march was given to the Supreme Court of Canada ruling earlier this year that struck down the existing law banning doctor-assisted suicide and gave the federal government one year to come up with a new law that would allow and regulate the practice. It is unclear if the government will proceed with the new legislation before the federal election scheduled for October.

After the March for Life was over, LFL-C held its annual meeting at St. Luke Lutheran Church with Rev. Larry Gajdos as guest speaker. Marian Obeda and Linda Welke, both of London Ontario, and Rev. Greg Palmer of Vermilion Alberta were elected to the Board of Directors. “On a personal note, it was an uplifting experience to see the commitment and passion for life, especially the youth and even our own people,” said President Pyle about this year’s March for Life.

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