‘Every Life Is Worth Protecting’ …

Pro-life activists heard from a variety of pro-life voices calling for a united witness to the dignity of the human person from conception.

The March for Life again gathered myriads of pro-life advocates to mark the anniversary of legalized abortion in America, and in a surprise appearance, Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence introduced a pre-recorded message from President Donald Trump.

“This is a movement founded on love and grounded in the nobility and dignity of every human life,” President Trump said in a pre-recorded message to the massive Jan. 18 rally, before the crowd began its march through the streets of Washington, D.C.

“When we look into the eyes of a newborn child, we see the beauty of the human soul and the majesty of God’s creation; we know that every life has meaning, and every life is worth protecting,” he said.

“I will always protect the first right in the Declaration of Independence, the right to life.”

Trump touted his administration’s new expansion of the Mexico City Policy, which restricts funds for international organizations that promote or perform abortions. He promoted his administration’s actions to protect religious freedom for medical professionals and religious charities, as well as support for adoption and foster care. Among new proposals are limits barring Title X funds for clinics that perform abortions and making permanent the Hyde Amendment budget restrictions on abortion funding.

Trump is something of an unlikely ally for the pro-life movement. Before he launched his successful 2016 presidential campaign, Trump had a record of pro-abortion-rights statements. That record, his personal character and other actions have drawn criticism and concern from some pro-life leaders. His presidency continues to be one of the most controversial in recent history, with his anti-immigrant crackdowns and rhetoric becoming major concerns for Catholic bishops.

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