Pope Francis likened abortion to “hiring a hitman to solve a problem.” And here in Australia the “hit” isn’t just on the baby, it extends to anyone who gets in the way. Lucky for us, there is one brave mother who is not backing down despite the political pistol which is locked and loaded and pointing right at her.
When I first met Joanna Howe at the pro-life rally she was leading earlier this year, I was impressed. She was warm, charismatic and authentic—and the first thing she did was offer to help me by holding my four-month-old baby.
Of course I said yes, because a mother who can be so vocal about supporting little babies has my absolute trust to hold my child. This is somewhat significant, as I am speaking as a new mum who wouldn’t let immediate family hold this precious baby for weeks, and who has often lamented unwanted touches from strangers, but yet with Joanna I was instantly at ease.
Joanna was leading the rally outside parliament in Sydney with her husband and two oldest children in tow. Immediately, it was obvious the level of personal sacrifice this mother was making with her own family, in order to advocate against the abortion bill before parliament which was threatening conscientious objection for health professionals.
Like other mothers at the rally, and one mother there impressively brought all her five children including a newborn, I was just so grateful that someone was taking a stand.
This rally, my first-ever rally, spoke spades about its leader. In contrast to media grabs of violent and sensationalised protests, Joanna’s rally was peaceful, emotional, informative and child-friendly.
Jo was making her way through a diverse crowd especially full of medical professionals and young women, all of whom wanted to meet her to express their profound gratitude for the unpopular role she was taking on in leading this fight. This gratitude was just the tip of the iceberg: many of my mum friends couldn’t make it with their kids but were relieved and thankful there was another mum putting forward a maternal (and rational) voice for the voiceless.
Over the next month Joanna was a frequent flier from her Adelaide home up to Sydney, no mean feat considering her five young children. We crossed paths several times, and I agreed to an interview with her about my son Archie and his premature birth at 24 weeks.
Jo was running late because of traffic coming back from a letterbox drop in a marginal seat. She helped with the pram and kept apologising while we made our way to her hotel room. As we opened the door she warned me she hadn’t had a chance to clean up. She hurriedly grabbed clothes off the floor whilst also trying to order room service for a late lunch. She was so relatable. Just another mum multitasking and doing her best.
Dr Joanna Howe courageously stepped into the public arena knowing it would be challenging. As a fellow mother and Australian, believing we live in a democratic country, I find the attempt to silence her very unsettling.
New South Wales parliamentarians can’t unite on important issues of cost of living, infrastructure or education, but yet there is bipartisan support to “cancel” a mother-of-five expressing a pro-life view.
Premier Chris Minns, who has previously described himself as Catholic, has not publicly clarified how his support for the bill aligns with church teachings on life. Recently, the cut and thrust of both leaders’ remarks has culminated in cowardly attacks from left, right and centre. Et tu, Brute? LinkedIn platitudes praise Pope Francis’ commitment to “offering hope to the marginalised,” but where is the hope for the greatest marginalised group of our time, the unborn? This author wonders how long it is until someone suggests amending The Crimes Act to make “pro-life activist” a crime.
Despite staring down the barrel, Dr Joanna Howe is unwavering: a wonderful mother not only to her own five children, but to all of the 88,000 unborn babies who are killed in Australia every year.
She is embodying the very spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, advocating for vulnerable children no matter the personal cost. I gave Jo a hug as we parted ways when parliament was adjourned for the day, one thing running through my mind.
She has my vote—not just for Mother of the Year, but for the kind of leadership this country desperately needs.
