Attention, Denver: The Pro-Life Voices are Coming!

With the platform of the Democrats continuing to embrace a strong pro-choice rhetoric, Pro-life veterans and rookies will be gathering at the time of the Democratic National Convention to speak for those who have no voice.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - The Democrats are coming to Denver and so are the voices of Pro-life. On Monday, August 25, delegates for the Democratic Party will be gathering at the Pepsi Center in downtown Denver to begin the process of nominating Barack Obama as their candidate for President of the United States.

While voices representing Democratic voters echo throughout the convention center, voices representing the unborn will be heard outside the center and around the city. Men, women, and children will be coming from all over the country to remind the party that historically represented the ideals of working class America that they have forgotten an important part of America - those who have fallen victim to abortion.

Activities have already begun on the streets of Denver in anticipation of the influx of delegates over the weekend. The Christian Defense Coalition and Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust together are coordinating a massive week of activities called "A Prayer for Change." Those groups participating include Stand True, Generation Life National, Faith and Action, National Clergy Council, Rock for Life, Generation Life Philadelphia, and Operation Rescue.

Among the events scheduled they will be holding prayer services at Denver Planned Parenthood, the Pepsi Center and Skyline Park South at various times. They will also be holding a special Sunday morning worship service at Skyline Park South at 11am.

The "A Prayer for Change" website indicates the reason these groups feel that it is important to target the Democratic National Convention with the message of Life. "...the Democratic Party as a whole continues to embrace the lie of abortion, advocating death for American children. All of the current Democratic candidates for president are pro-abortion, in keeping with the party line. As a result, we believe it is our responsibility to confront the Democratic Party with the truth of abortion, and call for an end to America's war on the preborn at the Democratic National Convention."

Rev. Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition and Danielle White Versluys of Survivors have been working for over a year with city officials and the police department to secure permits for assembly as well as commitments to allow peaceful demonstration. To date, the groups have not reported any confirmation from city officials concerning their on-going requests. It was reported at one point that permits would be allocated by lottery.

Another group that will be present to speak out for life is the Society for Truth and Justice, headed up by Randall Terry. The group has already begun literature distribution this week around the city of Denver. They plan to begin protests and demonstrations next week during the Democratic National Convention.

A convert to the Catholic Faith, Terry recently wrote a booklet entitled, "A Humble Plea," in which he calls upon the American Bishops of the Catholic Church to stand strong for the issues of life.

He begins the Preface: "To the Most Reverend American Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops; Beloved Successors of the Apostles: In writing this letter, I want nothing more than to accelerate the end of legalized child-killing in America; to have an actual day in the not too distant future when generations yet unborn can look back and say: 'On this day, the holocaust against children was brought to a final end. Thank God. I might not have survived.'"

The book documents the various battles for life that mankind has encountered over the centuries and the fact that brave men stood strong to bring about a resolution of truth. Terry's call is clear, not just for bishops, but all clergy and laity, that there is price to pay and a courageous life to be offered that the culture of death be defeated.

At the end of the book he states, "And to our beloved bishops, please, in the name of Christ, fear not! Rise to the occasion, and see what God shall do through you. The valor and courage of a handful could ignite the hearts of mil- lions. May God make you a glorious tool in His hand to bring this slaughter to an end. Insurrecta Nex!"

In the Pepsi Center the Democratic National Convention, at their invitation, will hear one more Pro-life voice. Senator Bob Casey, an advocate for the Right to Life, will be one of the speakers on Tuesday evening. The Senator's father, Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey, was not given a marquee speaking spot at the 1992 convention because of his pro-life views. Now, sixteen years later, perhaps words of life will be spoken from the platform of the DNC. There is a concern that the son of the Pro-Life Icon has "moderated" his views on the Right to Life from conception to Natural death. There is also a rumor that he may avoid the issue altogether. The world will be watching.

According to the Washington Times, several other Catholics are planned to be on the program, including former Colorado state Sen. Polly Baca, "Dead Man Walking" author Sister Helen Prejean, social justice lobbyist Sister Catherine Pinkerton and Pepperdine University professor Douglas W. Kmiec.

Archbishop Chaput, Bishop of Denver and outspoken advocate for Life, was not invited by the Convention to attend or pray. The bishop did not seem to be bothered by the oversight. In fact, on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention, he will join Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, Jr., and others in a prayer vigil against abortion near a Planned Parenthood Clinic. The vigil will take place in Martin Luther King Park in Denver. Concerning the Convention, the archbishop said, "I'm happy to see they are having prayer at their sessions, and they have a right to choose whom they want to do that."

Former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn was not as gracious. In an interview with the Washington Times, Flynn stated, "Chaput is one of the most respected leaders of the Catholic Church in America. His record is a strong commitment to social and economic justice and the principles of the Catholic faith. He's also a strong patriot.

"Pro-life Democrats who are proud Catholics like myself feel this is an insult to our values... The party should be aware there are strong pro-life people who are politically successful," Flynn continued.

The Democratic National Convention begins on Monday, August 25 at the Pepsi Center, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art convention location for the event. The final events will take place on Thursday, August 28, ending with a huge rally at INVESCO field at Mile High Stadium where, reportedly, Barack Obama will officially accept his party's nomination for President of the United States.

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