March for Life: 'God does amazing things'

Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood clinic director who became a pro-life activist and the subject of the movie, “Unplanned," spoke during the March for Life Charlotte on Jan. 13, 2023. (Photo by Troy Hull)CHARLOTTE — More than 300 people prayed, sang and marched through Uptown Charlotte Friday, advocating for the sanctity of life and encouraging everyone to support women in choosing life for their unborn children.

This year’s annual March for Life Charlotte hailed the recent overturning of Supreme Court decisions that had legalized abortion nationally.

The march and a special Mass for the Unborn, offered earlier Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Charlotte, are a time of prayer and advocacy to call attention to the more than 64 million lives lost to abortion – and the need to change people's hearts.

“Abortion will only be abolished when it is abolished in each heart, regardless of a current law,” said Andrea Hines, a parishioner of St. Ann Church in Charlotte. “Prayers, fasting and loving witness have resulted in conversions of heart to have respect for life, one heart at a time.”

Tina Witt, who leads the nonprofit group that organizes the march, said despite the recent Supreme Court ruling, “there is still more to be done. I wish we could march every single day. I would be out here every day, because once is never enough. We’re out here today, with the grace of God, and we have to show up for duty.”

The day began with a blessing from Bishop Peter Jugis outside the Diocese of Charlotte’s Pastoral Center, then marchers made their way north on Tryon Street to Independence Square, where they gathered to listen to speakers and pray. Students from Charlotte Catholic High School and Holy Trinity Middle School carried banners encouraging people to “Love Them Both,” referring to mother and child.

“It is always a joy to gather as Catholics to defend life,” he said. “There is high energy, high motivation, and lots of grace. As we try to be good witnesses and stewards of God’s gift of life, it is of the utmost importance that we are reminded of that for which we are fighting.”

“I feel it’s important to be here today to witness and stand-up for life,” said Luciano Salas, a 10th grade-student clad in his red Charlotte Catholic High School hoodie. “It’s important to stand up for all the unborn and for the mothers.”

Father Peter Ascik, director of the diocese’s Office for Family Life, also focused on the need to increase support for pregnant women.

“The work of the pro-life movement continues – work that involves standing up for both the mother and the child,” Father Ascik said. “So, we’re here today, as in years past, to witness to the dignity of human life, and also to witness to our society, to profess, that we can do better and care for both mother and child.”

At the square, Father Aaron Huber, parochial vicar of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, rallied the crowd with words of encouragement.

He noted that to be pro-life isn’t simply attending a march once a year or just saying “no” to abortion.

“Just like our lives aren’t simply running from sin, but running toward goodness, we must live our lives for life. We cannot say we are lovers of humanity without loving people,” Father Huber explained. “In the same way, being pro-life means serving all the living, and providing them, and those to-be, with an opportunity to live in the freedom of Jesus Christ.”

Other speakers included Abby Johnson, former Planned Parenthood clinic director who became a pro-life activist and the subject of the movie, “Unplanned.”

As she took the stage, she welcomed a handful of hecklers who turned out to protest the march.

“I started out just like them,” Johnson said. “I used to be a clinic escort. And now I’m standing here today. I’ve helped over 640 abortion workers leave their clinics. God does amazing things!”

Johnson then drew applause when she introduced a “quitter” – a Charlotte woman who left the abortion industry.

“Today you get to see the fruits of your labor,” Johnson told the crowd, introducing Alicia Davis, a former nurse at a South Charlotte abortion clinic. Dozens of people in attendance had prayed for years that the clinic where she worked would close. It finally did last year.

Davis spoke about things she saw while working at the clinic and how her hesitation to be involved grew. Many of the women who came into the clinic were looking for guidance, Davis said, who would respond: “It's totally up to you and God because God has the final say.”

— SueAnn Howell. Photos by Troy Hull and Catholic News Herald staff