Columbia 40 Days for Life director rouses pro-lifers at Sedalia event
Fifty years after the Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand throughout the United States, Pettis Countians gathered in their courthouse rotunda to renew their resolve.
The 1973 decision had been overturned, but the fight for life was just beginning.
“We must remain persistent, prayerful and passionate and be proactive to protect the pro-life status of Missouri and work to educate all so that abortion is unthinkable,” stated Kathy Forck, campaign director for Columbia 40 Days for Life and servant leader for Team PLAY.
Mrs. Forck, a member of St. Andrew Parish in Holts Summit, was the guest speaker at Pettis County Right to Life’s 49th annual Pro-Life Observance.
Local pastors and civic leaders addressed the audience.
Father Joseph Corel, pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish of Pettis County, led the participants in prayer.
The Sacred Heart High School Choir led the singing.
“Most insidious”
Mrs. Forck delivered a stern warning against complacency.
“We praise God for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, but we must realize that there is so much work to be done,” she stated, her voice echoing off century-old marble and terrazzo in the Courthouse rotunda.
“How many of you think our work is done, that today is a celebration that abortion has ended in our state because of the overturning of Roe?” she asked.
“We must be on the alert and never doubt that the evil one will try to overturn our pro-life laws protecting babies and amend our constitution to allow abortions,” she stated.
Mrs. Forck has been organizing sidewalk prayer vigils outside Planned Parenthood in Columbia.
Abortions are no longer performed there, but Planned Parenthood employees still refer pregnant women to out-of-state abortions.
Mrs. Forck lauded Missouri for becoming the first state to outlaw elective abortions following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision last June.
With that decision, the Court reversed the Jan. 22, 1973, rulings that struck down every state abortion ban in the country.
She noted that while the Dobbs decision is reason to rejoice, life in the womb remains unprotected in all but 14 states that ban elective abortions.
Furthermore, 1 in every 4 women in this country experience an abortion by age 45. About three-fifths of those are between ages 20 and 29.
About half of all abortions in this country are repeat abortions — either a woman’s second, third, fourth or more.
“And for every woman who has an abortion, there is a man involved in the pregnancy who has also been affected by the abortion,” she noted. “There are a lot of people who are regretting this decision and are hurting.”
Mrs. Forck pointed to a disturbing trend: The percent of abortions carried out by what is referred to as a medication abortion or chemical abortion or RU486 increased from 6 to 54 between 2001 and 2020.
It has been predicted that this year, 80 percent of elective abortions in this country will be carried out by that method.
She noted that in the 20 months between September 2020 and June 2022, chemical abortifacients contributed to 28 deaths, 414 infections, 71 severe infections, 1,048 hospitalizations and 616 transfusions required due to loss of blood of the women who took them.
“The most insidious thing the evil one has concocted is the Medication abortion, RU486,” Mrs. Forck stated. “This dangerous pill must be kept away from women and children.”
Yet, they can be bought online and sent through the mail.
“You were chosen”
Mrs. Forck said an important key to making abortion unthinkable is for girls to know that their parents will love and affirm them if they become pregnant.
“Show compassion,” she told the parents in her audience. “Remember, a baby is a blessing.”
Frank and open communication is essential.
“We need to give our children the talk,” Mrs. Forck stated, “the one where we advise them of God’s plan for marriage and the beauty of saving their virginity for that special person.
“But we also need to say that if something should happen, always know that they are loved and that they need to let you know if they should become pregnant or impregnate their girlfriend,” she said.
She urged all who were listening to become familiar with their local pregnancy resource center, where woman in crisis can receive free, compassionate, non-judgmental help choosing life for their baby.
She noted that healing is available to women who have an abortion. Those who are experiencing post-abortive trauma or depression can call 833-403-HEAL for help.
She encouraged everyone present to attend this year’s Midwest March for Life (www.midwestmarchforlife.com) on April 26 on the grounds of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.
She also asked the people to consider spending an hour praying on the sidewalk in Columbia.
She urged everyone to stand boldly and fearlessly against oncoming threats to Missouri’s abortion-free status.
“You were chosen to be here,” she stated. “God knew who would answer his call, he knew who he could count on to save His children.”
“Raise the dignity”
That weekend, Fr. Corel wrote to parishioners that while it’s important to pass and defend laws that protect life in the womb, it’s also essential to care for the woman who is carrying the child.
“As long as there are people who have their dignity trampled upon, from within themselves or from others, the misplaced desire for abortion will still be around,” Fr. Corel stated. “So, let’s raise the dignity of all those around us.”
Faith in action
One of the ways St. Vincent de Paul parishioners help pregnant mothers and their babies is through Birthright of Sedalia (birthright.org/sedalia).
“We are here to support women and babies through the pregnancy and beyond,” stated Marge Watson, a St. Vincent de Paul parishioner and Birthright volunteer.
Birthright is interdenominational and staffed by volunteers.
“Thanks to support from St. Vincent de Paul and other churches, along with private donations and memorials, we are able to continue our services,” said Mrs. Watson.
Birthright furnishes pregnancy tests, layettes for each baby born, toddler clothing up to size 3, diapers, formula, maternity clothes, and case-by-case assistance with other needs, such as cribs and utility costs.
“More importantly, we offer presence and encouragement, answering questions about pregnancy and having other resources we can refer them to as needed,” Mrs. Watson stated.
One Birthright volunteer from St. Vincent de Paul Parish has been active in the pro-life movement since 1973.
“I see Birthright as a ministry where I can help pregnant women have the help and care they need to take care of their needs and support them during their pregnancy and for a time later during the baby’s growth,” the parishioner stated.
Another volunteer wrote: “It is important that we see ourselves as missionaries, in a sense. We deal with different cultures from the one we live in, with different values and different influences.
“We sometimes deal with life and death when a client, whether in-person or on the telephone, reveals that she is considering abortion,” the volunteer stated.
“It is important that we commit each day we work to the Lord and his wisdom, so that they may see or hear his love for them through us,” that volunteer said.
