Joe Scheidler and Fr. Frank Pavone share strategy at the Pro-Life
Summit in Ann Arbor [Photo by Ann Scheidler]
In the midst of a major snowstorm on January 10 five hundred people gathered at the Christ the King conference center in Ann Arbor, MI for a Pro-Life Summit hosted by Monica Miller and Citizens for a Pro-Life Society. In the wake of the election of Barack Obama, it seemed that pro-life activists were champing at the bit to step up the pace of their activities. Due to space constraints Monica had to turn away over two hundred people.
Joe Scheidler joined speakers Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life; Janet Smith, theology professor and speaker on the impact of contraception; Al Kresta of Ave Maria Radio; and Deal Hudson. The audience gave a warm reception to Bishop Earl Boyea, the new bishop of Lansing, whose speech was pointed and incisive while asking that pro-life activism always be carried out with love that can “win the heart.”
Scheidler gave a rousing talk on the reasons to look for hope in the aftermath of the 2008 election and called on pro-life activists to take ownership of the fight for life, rather than to look to politicians to restore sanity to the nation. He received a standing ovation.
Joe Warns Pro-Lifers about FOCA
The following week Scheidler spoke in Harrisburg, PA at the invitation of Susan Doller. In addition to his talk, he joined fifty pro-life prayer warriors for a Rosary at Hillcrest abortuary on Front Street. Among those at the clinic was Ed Snow, who had once stood on top of his car to hold a pro-life sign as high as he could. He was knocked off the car by an angry abortion supporter and badly hurt. But he was back at the clinic to pray for the staff and the women seeking abortions.
Ann and Joe drove two hours in a downpour for a talk in Henry, IL on May 6 at St. Mary’s Center. The event was organized by Charles Owen and the Knights of Columbus, and included a pot luck dinner.
Joe was one of the featured speakers at the Rally for Life in Chicago, a march and rally organized by pro-life veteran Dick Walsh on May 22. The day started with talks at the Thompson Center, followed by a march to Federal Plaza, where Scheidler addressed the group of two hundred. The message of the day was to be on the alert for elements of the Freedom of Choice Act that would probably be snuck into various appropriations bills in the coming weeks and months.
