WASHINGTON, DC — Dozens of future U.S. Navy and Coast Guard officers walked on Friday in the 53rd annual March for Life—the world’s largest yearly human rights demonstration, and the fourth held in a post-Roe America. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, led dozens of prospective U.S. Military officers along Constitution, Pennsylvania, and Independence Avenues to the U.S. Supreme Court. Joining the peaceful procession were midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, and cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
Senior clergy and staff of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS) marched, too. Among them were the Rev. Monsignor Anthony R. Frontiero, S.T.D., Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia; the Very Rev. Mark Rutherford, J.C.L., J.D.C. Cand., Judicial Vicar; and Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.), Director of Vocations.
The AMS delegation joined the march after commuting on public transportation from the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center, the AMS headquarters in Northeast Washington, following a noon Mass in the main chapel.
In his homily, Archbishop Broglio preached the need for civility, reflecting on the day’s readings, including 1 Samuel 24:3-21, wherein David declines an easy opportunity to kill his jealous predecessor, King Saul: “Today as we walk in testimony to the dignity of the human person, especially of the unborn, let us remember David’s example of respect. We must raise our voices and ensure the rights and the dignity of the defenseless….
“We must be the voice of the voiceless, but we do so with respect.
“In our grossly uncivil society we discuss issues in the public square ever mindful that those who disagree with us are also created in the image and likeness of Almighty God. One thing I learned from my last eleven months as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was the virulence and lack of charity on the part of Catholics who might disagree with the Bishops. Let us never descend into name-calling or taking positions based on half-truths or no truth….”
Thousands of pro-life advocates from around the country walked the route from a pre-march rally site on the National Mall to the steps of the High Court, where the majority in June 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) with its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022), abrogating any “constitutional right” to abortion in America.
The theme of this year’s March for Life was “Life is a Gift,” a joyful affirmation for pro-life advocates, heralding their cause—that every human life, including the unborn and their mothers, is beautiful, has unique dignity, and worthy of protection.
At the pre-March rally, a diverse set of speakers roused the demonstrators in support of the unborn. President Donald J. Trump delivered a pre-recorded video, telling demonstrators: “This is a battle that must be fought, must be won, not only in the corridors of power, but above all in the hearts and souls of the people. That is why in the Trump Administration we’re strongly defending religious liberty. We’re bringing back faith in America. We’re bringing back God….”
Speaking in person were U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance; House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA); Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ); Bishop Irinej Dobrijević of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America; Ms. Shawnte Mallory, founder of the service organization, LABIR Love and Care and Recovering Minds; Ms. Cissie Graham Lynch, senior advisor and spokesperson for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse; Ms. Sarah Hurm, who personally abandoned an abortion procedure to give birth to her fourth child; and March for Life President Jennie Bradley Lichter, Esq.
March for Life is a non-sectarian organization that promotes the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion – uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square. It hosts the March for Life in Washington every January.