Presidential Message: Unification benefits life

On May 12, I was in Steubenville, Ohio, at the Franciscan University to receive a very special honor. The University bestowed upon me an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree for my work in the prolife movement.

This is a degree that I now share with all of you: the founders of Right to Life of Michigan, the past and present board members, the RLM staff, the affiliate presidents and members throughout the state.

While the honor was in my name, it is really in recognition of all of the accomplishments that we have achieved together, from ending Medicaid funding of abortions to stopping the legalization of assisted suicide. Because we have had the vision to work together over the years, speaking with one voice, we have been able to reduce the number of abortions by nearly one-half while our media campaigns promote real help for women and their unborn children.

The weekend on the campus was inspiring, refreshing and fulfilling. It was like being at a right to life convention. Most cars sported prolife bumper stickers, including our own "Choose Life." I visited the Tomb for the Unborn and discovered that the University was the birthing place for these monuments that have sprung up all over the country.

The Friday evening Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated by His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, chairman of the National Conference of Catholic Bishop's Pro-Life Committee. At Saturday's ceremonies, I marched in with Congressman Henry Hyde who gave the Commencement address and was honored with a Doctor of Law degree. As always, the Congressman was eloquent in sharing with the graduates his prolife philosophy and outlook for the future.

Upon receiving my degree, I had the privilege of sharing a few thoughts with the nearly 500 graduates. In my remarks, I used this quote from the book, The Tipping Point:

"...small close-knit groups have the power to magnify the epidemic potential of a message or idea."

I had decided to share this idea with the students because during Friday evening's events, I saw how united these students were in their prolife beliefs. Through their strong faith and united purpose in defending all life, they will have great potential and power to work for the prolife movement as they disperse across the country. I spoke of the opportunity they will have under a prolife U.S. President to magnify the message of life in their communities.

This thought of close-knit groups magnifying their power to spread a message also applies to the way that we have organized Right to Life of Michigan. It is the power of the local community affiliates that have produced such results for life in our state. Without local grassroots involvement, our message of life would be a whisper rather than a strong force for good.

Hopefully, some of these faith-filled Franciscan University graduates will make their way to Michigan. Their unabashed stance for the sanctity of all human life is an inspiration and a testimony to a great future for the prolife movement.

 

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