Several thousand Ohioans filled the streets of downtown Columbus on Friday, Oct. 4 to celebrate the third annual Ohio March for Life.
Individuals from various parts of the Buckeye State gathered in the state’s capital to march for preborn children and demonstrate support for the sanctity of human life.
Hundreds of Catholics began the day with a Mass at Columbus St. Joseph Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes. He was joined by several priests concelebrating the Mass and Bishop Robert Pipta of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma.
The standing-room-only cathedral was filled with students from Catholic schools across the state as well as individuals in age ranging from young families to the elderly.
In his homily, Bishop Pipta told the congregation that they are rallying and marching for the Gospel of Life and the sake of unborn children. He said they are called to march for every life regardless of age – preborn or post-born.
The bishop also focused on the importance of mothers, likening them to temples. He explained that, in their wombs, mothers carry a human life with an enteral soul.
“Any woman, any woman to whom God gives the gift, the privilege, the responsibility, and, yes, sometimes the weight of bearing children, that woman is a temple, and in her home is where the human meets the divine,” he said.
“On this particular occasion of remembering the importance of respect for life, we pray for all women, but in a special way, we pray with women, with our mothers, with these special temples, and we ask God to strengthen and protect.”
Bishop Pipta expressed a need and call to repentance. He said, in examining their conscience, all persons will find ways that they have fallen short and failed to respect life.
“The Gospel reminds us of the need to repent, the call of repentance, recognizing how we, ourselves, and those around us have done horrible things to other human beings, even ending the lives of the innocent,” the bishop said.
“We heed this call of repentance. We recommit ourselves to the effort of protecting all human life, and we support one another, not only today but always.”
The morning continued with a rally for life on the front lawn of the Ohio Statehouse followed by a march downtown. Bishop Pipta led the crowd in prayer.
Speakers at the rally included legislative officials, pro-life advocates and leaders, and individuals who chose life rather than abortion. Dave Yost, Ohio’s attorney general, was also in attendance.
State representative Josh Williams (R-Sylvania), representing Ohio’s 41st district that consists of a portion of northwest Ohio surrounding Toledo, shared his story of becoming a father at age 18 with an unexpected pregnancy.
He said his fiancée considered aborting their son, but he promised to support and provide for the child and his mother every day. He shared that his son recently turned 19.
Williams said he and several of his colleagues in the Ohio legislature are working to help mothers and families in similar situations.
“We want to make sure that women that are going through that difficult decision know that the state legislature, the members that are here with me today, are trying to bring as many resources available to you, that we are there to be a support for you,” he said.
Other speakers included Aaron Baer, the president of the Center for Christian Virtue, which advocates for public policy on issues including school choice, religious freedom and life; and Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, chairman of the board for Heartbeat International, a network of more than 3,500 pro-life pregnancy help organizations.
Baer encouraged the audience to vote pro-life in the upcoming November election and take advantage of early voting, which begins Oct. 8.
He shared recent statistics from the Ohio Department of Health, demonstrating a significant increase in the number of abortions.
“There were over 22,000 abortions in 2023,” he said, “and that number is going to spike dramatically next year. Those are thousands and thousands of lives that’s been unjustly lost.”
Hartshorn, who founded Pregnancy Decision Health Centers in Columbus in 1981 with her husband Mike, encouraged those present to be pregnancy helpers.
The Hartshorns began housing pregnant women in their home in 1975.
With decades of leadership in the pro-life movement, Hartshorn found that a person is the best alternative to abortion. She said pregnant women need someone to listen to them as they experience shame, fear and concerns, and walk with them.
She had a special message for young people in the pro-life movement.
“My advice to you, if God is calling you into this movement: We are not sprinters; we’re long-distance runners, and by the end of your race, like mine, you will be passing the baton,” she said. “Our battle is ongoing. It’s a battle of good versus evil, and we never give up.”
Two young men involved in the pro-life movement, Mason Bingham, 21, and Travis Bloom, 19, traveled from Cleveland State University to Columbus for the rally and march.
The two are active in the Advocates for Life group at their university. The group works with Students for Life, a national advocacy organization that trains students to impact campuses and communities.
Bingham said the group wants to share with others the fact that life begins at conception and God created life, forming man in His image.
“We’re here to raise awareness because babies are the most innocent form of life that we have because they don’t have a voice for themselves,” Bingham said.
He recognized the difficulties of being pro-life in a culture that is often hostile to it.
“It can be hard sometimes to not give up because I think people can be so stubborn in their beliefs,” he said. “I personally believe it’s a gospel issue, that people need to turn to Jesus Christ, and that’s how this issue can be resolved.
“As a young person, I think it’s super important for the next generation to step up and share the gospel and share the love of Christ.”
“Just look at the Scriptures,” Bloom added. “John the Baptist leaped in the womb of Elizabeth when Mary, the Mother of God, pregnant with Christ, came to Elizabeth’s home.
“You look at that and you just think, how can we murder babies who are not yet born when the savior of mankind came from a womb?”
The crowd heard from mother-daughter duo Lauren and Bella Bunty. Lauren conceived her daughter, Bella, 15, from rape. She shared that her daughter had a right to live despite the circumstances of her conception.
Lauren countered common arguments that rape justifies abortion. She said her daughter was an innocent victim and aborting her could not undo the crime that was committed.
“Sadly, even some within the pro-life community believe that rape justifies abortion,” she said. “If this is you, remember why you’re pro-life at all. If you believe a living, preborn life deserves protection, how does something that was in no way the baby’s fault change their need to be protected?
“I’ll say it again, abortion after rape sentences the innocent victim for the evil of the perpetrator. If you’re truly pro-life, then you cannot support such misguided positions.”
Lauren also voiced support for mothers whose babies were conceived by rape. She encouraged mothers to choose life for their babies, and she shared the beauty and joy that has resulted from choosing life for Bella.
“If you’re currently pregnant from rape, please hear me when I say that the fear you’re feeling is valid,” Lauren said. “It is real. It is daunting. Trust me, I get it, and I empathize with you, but your story is still several chapters behind mine.
“If I can help you finish your story, please let my testimony encourage you to keep your child. I don’t know what’s behind you, but I do know what can be ahead of you.”
