Despite the governmental Corona restrictions in Austria more than 2,000 people took part in the March for Life in the Austrian capital city Vienna on October 17, 2020.
The March’s motto was “Love them both”. The Pro Lifers demanded an improvement of the basic conditions for the protection of women and their unborn children, in order to make “abortions unthinkable”. Among other things, the possibilities for pregnant women to receive counseling and aid services should be expanded. Furthermore the government should introduce an obligatory three-day reflection period before the decision is made.
Up to 40,000 abortions every year
The March took place in Vienna’s city centre. The route had to be adjusted a few times, because Pro-choice protesters tried to disrupt the March with illegal sit-ins. The protesters were shouting slogans like “No God, no state, no patriarchy”, “My body, my choice” or “Abortion is a human right”.
Two Catholic bishops, several Austrian politicians, priests and pastors took part in the March. The speakers remembered the audience of the 30,000 to 40,000 children, who are aborted in Austria annually. The Austrian Pro Life movement has to be on guard: The Austrian Constitutional Court thinks about liberalizing the strict law on assisted suicide and euthanasia.
“Human life is an inviolable good”
Therefore, the Viennese bishop Klaus Küng reminded the participants of the Fifth Commandment and stated: “This applies to children in the womb as well as to old or sick people, especially those who are tired of life.” He pointed to the liberal euthanasia regulations in Netherlands, Belgium or Switzerland: “We cannot and must not arbitrarily dispose of our lives or the lives of others.”
The bishop added that it would be “a mistake to think that it is about personal attitudes of faith”. Actually “it is true that faith is important for the attitude to life. But even regardless of whether someone believes in God or not, the view that human life is an inviolable good. The essence of man and human society, is also important”.
The protection of life starts in the family
Küng also said that “every genuine Pro Life movement is at the same time a Pro Family movement. Genuine love is the best protection of life both at its beginning and at its end and in all difficult situations”.
Leni Kesselstatt of the Pro Family organization “Family Alliance” added that the protection of life should start in one’s own family. It would be important to teach the own children about a responsible sexuality. This should not be a taboo subject in the conversation between children and parents, rather fathers and mothers should educate their own children.
We’re the Pro Life Generation – New Pro Life Song
At the March the singer “Vero Deo Gloria” presented her new song “We’re the Pro Life Generation”, which enthused the March’s participants. Afterwards Vero was attacked by Pro Choice protesters, who tried to steal her bike on the way home. The police, still nearby, stopped the attackers. But this incident is not going to stop the singer from her Pro Life engagement.
In an interview a few days later she stated: “I share this story to wake people up, so the know what is actually happening! The freedom of expression of the Pro Life movement is being restricted! For me this is a clear sign that the Pro Choice side is running out of arguments. Their only way out is hate and violence. This is also a sign that we are on the right track. We want to spread hope, joy of life and love. There is no space for fear and violence.”
Impact Congress of ProLife Europe
As a side event of the March the new youth organization ProLife Europe organized a “Life Dinner” and an “Impact Congress”. At the congress about 70 young Pro Lifers were educated in talks and workshops about abortion and Pro Life activism.
Manuela Steiner, chairwoman of ProLife Europe, concluded: “The Impact Congress is the crowning ending of this intensive Pro Life weekend. It offers our members the opportunity not only to network with each other, but also to be equipped with a lot of knowledge and new know-how. The workshops are the basis for starting different actions in the local groups. It equips for a lot of activism at home.”
Copyright of cover picture: Eduard Pröls
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