Sydneysiders turned up in their hundreds on a warm September day to rally against the growing accessibility of abortion in NSW as part of Love Sydney’s annual ‘Walk for Life’ event.
The day consisted of an array of prominent pro-life advocates speaking out against a push to remove conscientious objection rights of healthcare workers across the state, and a solemn walk through Hyde Park where attendees held signs calling Sydney to ‘Stand for Life’.
One advocate, Monica Doumit, director, public affairs and engagement for the Archdiocese of Sydney, reflected on how the Walk for Life is one event globally which pushes against the legalisation of abortion, calling to mind the much larger March for Life in the US, which has run annually for 50 years.
Despite being the founder of that event, pro-life advocate Nellie Gray was never able to witness a pro-life victory in her lifetime, Doumit said.
“We may get the opportunity to, but we also may not, and that is why, just like Nellie, we should keep walking, keep witnessing to life in the midst of a culture of death so that a generation yet unborn can praise the Lord,” she urged.
Susan Carter MLC said further education and awareness was required to assist young women who are considering aborting their child; to support them in thinking through the additional consequences of abortion beyond the termination of a pregnancy.
“For most women, the problem is not simply that they are pregnant,” she said.
“It is that they are pregnant and their partner is unsupportive.
“That they are pregnant and they’re worried about how they’re going to pay the bills. That they are pregnant and they are feeling lonely and scared, or too young to cope.
“Abortion may deal with the pregnancy, but the ‘ands’ remain, and they are the issues that we as a compassionate society need to address.”
The crowd also heard from former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby Martyn Iles, and Ilia and Serene, three-time parents who were pressured into pursuing an abortion for their young daughter, Reya, due to concerns about “faults” with the baby.
“I remember being sent to Westmead, 30 weeks pregnant, and that was when the external pressure of being pushed into trying to have an abortion really became insane,” Serene said.
“They started questioning me about my religion, whether not having an abortion was a religious decision. It was just really uncomfortable, and I realised very quickly that they were trying to tell me to murder her.”
Ilia said despite her limitations, Reya is “living proof” that abortion deprives babies of the opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
“Reya has been the biggest blessing in our lives, our church life, our family life,” he said.
“I don’t understand how anyone can prescribe having an abortion as a solution when we have our very daughter live a brilliant life.”
Iles said the pro-life cause was one that needs “a lot of light to be shone into a very dark place,” he said.
“Those of you who have attended today not only care about the pro-life movement, and have witnessed its evolution over in your lifetime, will know that there is a great perception of darkness over the prevalence of abortion worldwide, and that there are great principles at stake.”
NSW director for the Australian Christian Lobby Joshua Rowe later told The Catholic Weekly that the growth in crowds year on year is a testament to the community starting to see the value in every life, born or unborn.
“Many of the people here today are with their families, including myself, because we all love the life God has given us, and the people around us, and that life wouldn’t be possible without a recognition of the dignity and sanctity of life,” he said.
“I think it’s important as Christians to come and take a stand for the unborn, and to stand against the stain of abortion legislation in our country which sees tens of thousands of babies lose their life.”