Alabama anti-abortion activists held the 34th annual “Memorial Service for the Unborn” in Montgomery on Sunday. The event coincided with the 48th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
The sponsors said: “This memorial service celebrates the sanctity of all life – the born, the unborn, the aged and the handicapped. The service also marks the 48th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States and claiming the lives of millions of innocent unborn children since that tragic date.”
The annual event is a day of remembrance for the 60 million abortions conducted since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1971. The solemn prayer vigil was held at Greenwood Serenity Gardens in Montgomery, a site where 18 bodies of aborted babies were properly buried by Alabama Citizens for Life Montgomery Chapter in 1987 after being found in a shopping center dumpster.
Bob Parker from St. James Church was the keynote speaker and reflected on the message. Pastor John Schmidt with Center Point Fellowship delivered the opening prayer, while Msgr. Charles Troncale from Our Lady of Guadalupe delivered the closing prayer. There were scripture readings and hymns sung, ending with “Amazing Grace.” The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and the Fourth Degree Knights of Peter Claver provided an honor guard for the event.
Sunday’s event was organized by the Montgomery Respect Life Committee and was part of many across the nation praying for a day when abortion is once again illegal across this country.
Congressman Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, said on social media:
“Today is the 48th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. In the years since, over 60 million babies have been lost to abortion. This afternoon, I hosted a virtual roundtable with several pro-life leaders in south Alabama to discuss some of the pro-life bills I am working on in Congress. I’m proud to be an advocate for the unborn, and I’ll never stop fighting for the sanctity of life.”
Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Saks, said:
“Today marks the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. As a Christian and father of three, I will always stand up for the rights of the unborn.”
Congressman Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said:
“In the 48 years since Roe v. Wade, over 60 million innocent babies have been aborted. That is a national tragedy. Our country must protect the most vulnerable among us, and that starts with the unborn. I believe that every life matters, and that’s why I will always be proudly #ProLife.”
