October is traditionally observed as Respect Life Month in Catholic churches across America. Since the practice began, countless other denominations, faiths, and people of good will have come together each year to take a stand for the cause of life.
Here in Madison County, we are blessed to live in a county and state that generally uphold the culture of life. Prevailing pro-life public opinion has produced our pro-life General Assembly. And strong pro-life leadership from our current governor and Ohio Right to Life president has led to life-saving legislation, including the de-funding of Planned Parenthood and a ban on late-term abortion. It’s easy to see why Ohio has become a model for other states wishing to implement pro-life policies.
When Governor Kasich took office, in January 2011, Ohio was home to 18 abortion facilities. Since that time, 10 clinics have shut down, leaving 8 remaining abortion providers throughout the state. As clinics have closed, more and more lives have been saved.
Just last week, the Ohio Department of Health released its 2013 Abortion Report. The results, while sobering, show that much progress is being made. Statewide, abortions declined to 23,216 in 2013, the lowest level since record-keeping first began in 1976. This is a 9 percent drop from 2012 (25,473 abortions) and an 18 percent drop from 2010 (28,123).
Locally, the data were even more promising. The number of abortions obtained by Madison County residents dropped from 40 in 2012 to 21 in 2013, the largest percent decrease of any county in the state.
And yet, we know that number is still too high, for behind every statistic is a unique and unrepeatable human being, made and loved by God – a child whose life has been tragically cut short.
Make no mistake about it: the life issues – abortion, euthanasia, and even sex-trafficking – have no respect for state or county lines. All of us are affected by these tragedies in one way or another, and there is still more work to do in the vineyard – in our homes, our churches, our schools, and yes, our legislative bodies.
There’s more to do for that child, who desperately deserves a chance at life; more to do for her would-be spouse, who will one day feel as though life and love passed him by; more to do for her mother, whose despair at the loss of her child is rivaled only by her inability to conceive another; more to do for her father, who now feels cut off from the love of his Father in heaven; more to do for all of us, who have missed out on the joy, the laughter, and indeed the tangible experiences of God’s love because of 21 empty chairs.
We, at Madison County Right to Life, cordially invite you to join us in that work this Friday, October 3rd at the first annual Madison March for Life.
Brendan Shea is president of Madison County Right to Life and can be reached at [email protected]. The Madison March for Life will take place from 4:00-6:30 pm this Friday, October 3rd at St. Patrick School, in London. For more details, visit madisonrighttolife.weebly.com.
Here in Madison County, we are blessed to live in a county and state that generally uphold the culture of life. Prevailing pro-life public opinion has produced our pro-life General Assembly. And strong pro-life leadership from our current governor and Ohio Right to Life president has led to life-saving legislation, including the de-funding of Planned Parenthood and a ban on late-term abortion. It’s easy to see why Ohio has become a model for other states wishing to implement pro-life policies.
When Governor Kasich took office, in January 2011, Ohio was home to 18 abortion facilities. Since that time, 10 clinics have shut down, leaving 8 remaining abortion providers throughout the state. As clinics have closed, more and more lives have been saved.
Just last week, the Ohio Department of Health released its 2013 Abortion Report. The results, while sobering, show that much progress is being made. Statewide, abortions declined to 23,216 in 2013, the lowest level since record-keeping first began in 1976. This is a 9 percent drop from 2012 (25,473 abortions) and an 18 percent drop from 2010 (28,123).
Locally, the data were even more promising. The number of abortions obtained by Madison County residents dropped from 40 in 2012 to 21 in 2013, the largest percent decrease of any county in the state.
And yet, we know that number is still too high, for behind every statistic is a unique and unrepeatable human being, made and loved by God – a child whose life has been tragically cut short.
Make no mistake about it: the life issues – abortion, euthanasia, and even sex-trafficking – have no respect for state or county lines. All of us are affected by these tragedies in one way or another, and there is still more work to do in the vineyard – in our homes, our churches, our schools, and yes, our legislative bodies.
There’s more to do for that child, who desperately deserves a chance at life; more to do for her would-be spouse, who will one day feel as though life and love passed him by; more to do for her mother, whose despair at the loss of her child is rivaled only by her inability to conceive another; more to do for her father, who now feels cut off from the love of his Father in heaven; more to do for all of us, who have missed out on the joy, the laughter, and indeed the tangible experiences of God’s love because of 21 empty chairs.
We, at Madison County Right to Life, cordially invite you to join us in that work this Friday, October 3rd at the first annual Madison March for Life.
Brendan Shea is president of Madison County Right to Life and can be reached at [email protected]. The Madison March for Life will take place from 4:00-6:30 pm this Friday, October 3rd at St. Patrick School, in London. For more details, visit madisonrighttolife.weebly.com.