Are there similar situations occurring in Massachusetts?  We can’t be sure – because Massachusetts has essentially NO regulations.  In the 1970′s, Massachusetts Citizens for Life was instrumental in the effort to impose a new law which would have required, among other things, that abortion centers have fire extinguishers and elevators that would accommodate stretchers.  This sensible law was overturned.  Massachusetts does not even require those basic safeguards for women.  Abortion facilities have much lower standards than any other type of surgical facility, evidenced by the one where Laura Hope Smith died.  These so-called “doctor’s offices” have no oversight at all!

Therefore, Massachusetts Citizens for Life will be strongly pressing the Department of Public Health to answer these questions for the protection of babies and their mothers.

As we embark on this endeavor over the next few weeks we hope that you will get involved in our effort.  You can make a difference!  If you aren’t already, please consider joining Massachusetts Citizens for Life as an official member or renew your membership.

Massachusetts has the 9th highest abortion rate in the country! Over 22,000 babies are killed in our state every year – and it’s got to stop!  We desperately need our state to actively protect the lives and health of mothers and their babies.

Now that the general public is aware of the Gosnell atrocities, we have the opportunity to shed light on other “Gosnells” that are operating in the shadows.

Stay tuned!

The change in venue allowed the walk participants to take pictures in front of a memorial dedicated to the 55+ million unborn babies whose lives were ended by abortion. Below are pictures of a few of the pro-life individuals who posed for pictures for us in front of the memorial.

We want to thank all those who helped make this years walk a success, especially to all our walkers and sponsors. You can still make a donation toward the walk by clicking here, or by going to our walk website: http://respectlifewalk.org/

When my older sister, Kayla, was a junior in high school, and I was a freshman, we decided to start a pro-life group called “Student Lifeline Club” at our high school.  A lot of issues came up regarding having this club in a public school, but we were persistent and it was officially recognized by the school the following year when she was a senior, and I was a sophomore.  Once we got it started, we got a decent amount of people to join the group, and we encouraged people to come to the meetings regardless of their prior stance on the issue. We became the first public school in Massachusetts to have a pro-life club for students.  Also, this club not only affected those who were members, but it  started conversations about abortion to be talked about all over the school, and even on social media sites. Some students changed their views on abortion, others became more open to the pro-life position, and rarely, others got upset.

I believe more students should start pro-life clubs in schools, and students should advertise the Respect Life Walk as a way to educate their fellow peers on the pro-life cause.

One of the major fundraising events the Student Lifeline Club took part in was the Respect Life Walk. We were able to fill an entire bus with students, were introduced to the crowd, and helped lead the procession.  In our club we were adamant about advertising this walk more than any other activity or fundraiser that took place.  The great speakers and the people who walk are unparalleled in their encouragement, support, and information.  The Respect Life Walk not only raises awareness about abortion, but it also raises funds for numerous beneficiaries that help pregnant mothers and children in need. As an active participant in the annual walk, I have also participated in collecting donations and sponsors for the Respect Life Walk and the pro-life cause for both MCFL and Heartbeat Crisis Pregnancy Center, a pregnancy resource center in my hometown.

My goal is to try and educate as many people as possible on the topic of abortion and to involve as many supporters as possible in the Respect Life Walk.  I also hope to reach out to support organizations such as Massachusetts Citizens For Life to help and provide guidance to anyone who may need assistance. Abortion takes the life of an innocent child, and it is my generation that is going to make a difference. By starting groups like the Student Lifeline Club in a public high school, and raising money for events like MCFL’s annual Respect Life Walk, we can truly end abortion in this country, and restore a culture that respects all human life from conception to natural death.

I would like to share with you this prayer that my friend, Br. Bob, sent yesterday from D.C.

Let us pray for those who died and for their loved ones, for those injured – and for this country that we will abandon fear in favor of a faith that gives courage in all things.

I know you have also been reading reports about the Gosnell trial in Philadelphia. Gosnell has been an out-in-front abortionist since before Roe v Wade. He was so inept that it was easier for him to deliver babies alive – some as large as six pounds – then “snip” their spinal cords to kill them. His treatment of their mothers wasn’t much better. The conditions were unimaginable.

I remember a four page insert in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1981 by Liz Jeffries and Rick Edmonds, “Abortion, The Dreaded Complication,” The complication was aborted babies being born alive. The thing I remember most vividly about the expose was the description of a dog licking up blood on a “clinic” floor. Apparently even that didn’t cause Pennsylvania officials to exercise any oversight of this horrific and almost unimaginable situation!

When Gosnell was arrested, Massachusetts Citizens for Life sent out an email that asked how we would know that similar conditions did not exist here in Massachusetts. We still have to wonder and are faced with close to home examples like Laura Hope Smith who died during an abortion, a “clinic” in Attleboro has been cited by the Department of Public Health, and at least three women have been rushed to hospitals recently because of complications during abortions.

I am so sad to think of the babies whom no one loved, who suffered without any consolation, and of their mothers, the women who were also abused.

With everything that is going on, now more than ever we need to “do something” to show love for the babies and their mothers and to show publicly that there are people who care. We need to do something positive to help build a Culture of Life. In the face of this Culture of Death, we all can stand up and show our support for pro-life pregnancy resource centers and make sure that they have the resources to build that Culture of Life.

I am grateful that our Walk to Aid Mothers and Children is scheduled for next week on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro! The Walk Committee has worked very hard. We will all benefit.

I hope you will be able to join me to show your love for women and children, to give public witness, and to help provide practical assistance to mothers and children in need.

Please click HERE to register as a Walker or to sponsor, or donate.

For life,
Anne

If you haven’t yet viewed our YouTube video promoting the event – you really ought to. Click HERE for the Respect Life Walk video

If you would like to read other things Dr. Gondreau has written, click here.

Truly, we are lucky to be on our side!

The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God is Michael Pakaluk’s tribute to his young wife, Ruth, from her letters and talks. Ruth, a former President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, died leaving six young children, but this is a delightful, “full of life” book.

The above book links are affiliate links, which means a portion of your purchase will go to MCFL if you click through these links and purchase a book.

The Massachusetts Citizens for Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Infants is back and better than ever. Of course, this means that the Walk Baby Contest is also back. We want a baby for the promotional materials and to exemplify the benefits to Life.

Children submitted must be between 6 and 24 months old. Try and submit a picture that shows them to their best advantage. Submitting a photo gives MCFL the right to use or republish the image in a variety of media including posters, brochures and other printed materials.

More exciting yet, this year we are having open voting to decide who the walk baby will be. Vote on Facebook or check back to this website!.

You may submit by email to jtriolo@masscitizensforlife.org. We need your name, email, phone number and address included along with a submission–please include the information in the message section below if you submit online. Also make sure to include the child’s name. Submit by February 28, 2013.

By submitting your child you agree to the below disclaimer.

Disclaimer: I give permission to use the enclosed photo for the 2013 Walk Baby Contest and understand that it becomes the property of Massachusetts Citizens for Life upon submission. MCFL reserves the right to edit, adapt, trademark, copyright, publish, and/or transfer to third parties used for any and all promotion of the 2013 Walk. I understand and hereby give permission to use my child’s name in any publication, including online publication, MCFL deems appropriate.

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Laura’s Law: The Woman’s Right to Know Act–Bill Number: H1565
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Elizabeth A. Poirier
“An Act relative to a woman’s right to know.”
The bill would offer women more complete information about abortion and fetal development. Women seeking abortions would also be given a chance to see a sonogram of their child. A 24 hour waiting period would be imposed.
Cosponsors: John H. Rogers, Paul J. Donato, F. J. Barrows, Matthew A. Beaton, Geoff Diehl, Peter J. Durant, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Colleen M. Garry, Donald F. Humason, Randy Hunt, Michael R. Knapik, Kevin J. Kuros, Marc T. Lombardo, James J. Lyons, James R. Miceli, Keiko M. Orrall, Angelo J. Puppolo, Dennis A. Rosa, Richard J. Ross, Walter F. Timilty, James J. Dwyer, Richard T. Moore, Angelo M. Scaccia, Stephen L. DiNatale

The Massachusetts Sex-Selected Abortion Ban–Bill Number: H1567
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Elizabeth A. Poirier
“An Act relative to sex selection in Pregnancy.”
This bill would ban abortions for the purposes of selecting the sex of a child.
Cosponsors: Angelo M. Scaccia, John H. Rogers, F. J. Barrows, Peter J. Durant, Ryan C. Fattman, Colleen M. Garry, Donald F. Humason, Randy Hunt, Marc T. Lombardo, James J. Lyons, James R. Miceli, Keiko M. Orrall, James J. Dwyer, Richard T. Moore

The Massachusetts Partial Birth Abortion Ban–Bill Number: H1452
Primary Sponsors: Rep. Kevin J. Kuros and Rep. Elizabeth A. Poirier
“An Act banning partial birth abortions.”
This bill would impose a state ban to compliment the Federal Ban on partial birth abortions. It would allow for more complete enforcement.
Cosponsors: Peter J. Durant, John H. Rogers, Geoff Diehl, James R. Miceli, Angelo M. Scaccia, Colleen M. Garry, James J. Lyons, F. J. Barrows, Marc T. Lombardo, Keiko M. Orrall

The Taxpayer Conscience Protection Act–Bill Number: H2542
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Geoff Diehl
“An Act relative to taxation.”
This bill would allow taxpayers the opportunity to indicate on their state tax return that they would like the portion of their taxes usually spent on government-funded abortions to instead fund the Baby Safe Haven program.
Cosponsors: Peter J. Durant, John H. Rogers, Elizabeth A. Poirier, James J. Dwyer, James R. Miceli, Colleen M. Garry, James J. Lyons, F. J. Barrows

Massachusetts Citizens for Life is also supporting several important bills not proposed by us but working toward a greater respect for human Life and dignity:

Massachusetts Second Victim Act–Bill Number: H1404
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
“An Act relative to fetal homicide.”
This bill would alter the General Law to ensure that unborn children killed in the commission of a murder are legally treated as a second victim of the crime.
Cosponsors: George N. Peterson, Bradford Hill, Elizabeth A. Poirier, Viriato M. deMacedo, James J. Dwyer, Donald F. Humason, Angelo L. D’Emilia, Sheila C. Harrington, Geoff Diehl, F. J. Barrows, Paul K. Frost, Randy Hunt, James R. Miceli, Todd M. Smola, Ryan C. Fattman, Nicholas A. Boldyga, Colleen M. Garry, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Donald H. Wong, Angelo M. Scaccia, James J. Lyons, Keiko M. Orrall, Kevin J. Kuros, John H. Rogers, Matthew A. Beaton

Sex Education Parental Consent Act–Bill Number: H466
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Elizabeth Poirier
“An Act requiring parental consent on sex education in public schools.”
This bill would require that so-called “sex education” programs in public schools would be entirely voluntary. Parents would be given at least five (5) days notice. This will protect children and allow parents to keep their children from being taught dangerous lessons such as how to procure secret abortions. Rep. Bradley H. Jones has proposed a similar and complimentary bill, H431 “An Act relative to parental notification.”
Cosponsors: Geoff Diehl, Stephen L. DiNatale, Randy Hunt, Kevin J. Kuros

The Massachusetts Fetal Pain Act–Bill Number: H1930
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Viriato Manuel deMacedo
“An Act relative to unborn children.”
This bill would educate the public by requiring that the victims of abortion be anesthetized before the abortion if the unborn child is 20 gestational weeks old or older. The bill would expose the fact that unborn children feel pain.
Cosponsors: Keiko M. Orrall, Elizabeth A. Poirier, Sheila C. Harrington, James J. Lyons

Unfortunately, not everyone at the Statehouse respects the value of human life. MCFL will be working to defeat bills that fail to respect the right-to-life of every human being from conception until natural death.

MCFL OPPOSES:

The Massachusetts Doctor-Prescribed Suicide Act–Bill Number: H1998
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Louis L. Kafka
“An Act affirming a terminally ill patient’s right to compassionate aid in dying”
Unsatisfied with the judgement of the people of the Commonwealth who rejected a similar ballot initiative in November 2013, Rep. Kafka has once again proposed this destructive measure. If passed, the disabled, infirm, depressed, lonely and vulnerable could be offered lethal drugs by their doctors instead of the vital care they need.

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The question of what Life, writ large, is might properly be considered a philosophical one.  Once that definition has been settled (as it undoubtedly is, at least to the extent of being able to distinguish what is alive from what is dead or inanimate) however, the question of when a life begins can only be answered by empirical observation—that is science.  Since the 1890s (earlier, according to some historians of science) we have had sufficiently powerful observational tools to know that a unique individual begins developing at the very moment when the male and female sex cells combine.  Changes begin taking place at the moment a sperm cell reaches the glycoprotien zona pellucida of the egg cell.  This binding causes an acrosome reaction in the sperm cell which ultimately results in the release of the male’s genetic material into the egg cell, combination of the male and female genetic material and the creation a genetically unique human.  All this is to say that it has been clear for some time that life begins at conception.

It seems then that the elusive definition that the learned justice complained of must be of humanity rather than life.  Unfortunately for the cause of anti-life sophistry, this apparent complexity is itself a red herring which depends upon the acceptance of the risible premise that because individuals are at different stages of development they therefor belong to different species.

How else can one define recently formed, genetically unique individuals except as new members of their species?  The new zygote produced by a union of two humans is certainly human itself—what else could it be?  Is a tadpole a different species than a frog?  The anti-life rhetoricians seem to be unable to distinguish differences of degree from differences of kind.  If a human embryo or fetus is essentially a different species from an infant is a infant similarly different in kind from an adolescent, a full grown person or a senior citizen?  Obviously there are some in the anti-life movement who be happy for such distinctions to be generally accepted but on the whole, normal people are unable to convince themselves of the truth of such assertions—and with good reason.

Life, in a biological sense, is a discrete physical phenomenon.  Whether or not it is present is a matter of observable fact not debate.  It is not, and cannot be a matter of opinion, or capability or age.  The facts are the facts.  When a sperm and egg unite they form a new individual.  Life begins at conception.

John F. Triolo is Massachusetts Citizens for Life’s Director of Communications

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