This is a guest post by Claudia Gutierrez age 17 from Napa, California
This Veteran’s Day Weekend, I had the privilege of attending the first International Pro-Life Youth Conference. I heard pro-life leaders from all over the world encourage us to follow in their footsteps and set the world ablaze with the pro-life message. Prior to attending this conference, I had not been setting the world ablaze—not even close. My pro-life work in those past couple weeks wouldn’t have even amounted to a spark! That is the danger of losing one’s momentum when it comes to activism; you can always find a reason NOT to do it!
Boy, was I in for an awakening when I sat down for the first speech at the conference. Before Lila Rose had even finished speaking, my soul had been reignited with the fire of pro-life activism, and I was raring to go. Her message about how you are never too young to make a difference as long as you get out there and make the effort really hit close to home. In Napa, California, I run my own pro-life club and my mind was racing with all of the new and exciting ideas for events I could hold with this club. I could not wait to go home and get to work sharing the pro-life message.
Throughout the weekend, I listened to each qualified and distinguished speaker with keen ears and bated breath. I was captivated by every one of them and felt compelled to act; my heart was moved so strongly. I was most intrigued by the Irish speakers, and not just because of their wonderful accents! The pro-life movement in Ireland is fascinating because, well, it was SUCCESSFUL! I had no idea that any countries in Europe were still anti-abortion, especially one as well-known as Ireland. Another encouraging aspect of their pro-life movement was that it was a YOUTH-movement! It was the young people of Ireland that kept abortion out of their country.
The speakers from Ireland’s pro-life organization, Youth Defence, detailed how it was a constant battle to keep abortion out of their country, what with there being pressure on all sides from the European Union and the United Nations. Even though they described their struggle as constant, it gave me hope, as an American, that one day we will be able to rid our country of the evil of abortion. It will undoubtedly be a long road ahead before we see abortion outlawed in America, but before we can even think of succeeding in the courts, we have to succeed on the streets, in the press, and ultimately in the hearts of the American people. We will have to work tirelessly and selflessly to follow in the footsteps of Ireland and make abortion unthinkable in our country—and in the whole world—by continuing to save babies and change hearts.
Being a defender of life is not a new premise, but it is still the most noble work one can perform. In fact, this quote from Elie Wiesel, a man of extraordinary courage in a time of great terror -- the Jewish Holocaust -- perfectly describes why we cannot simply sit back and watch while our brothers and sisters are the victims of injustice:
For the babies!
Claudia
Read about the IPYC:
Day 1
Day 2
This Veteran’s Day Weekend, I had the privilege of attending the first International Pro-Life Youth Conference. I heard pro-life leaders from all over the world encourage us to follow in their footsteps and set the world ablaze with the pro-life message. Prior to attending this conference, I had not been setting the world ablaze—not even close. My pro-life work in those past couple weeks wouldn’t have even amounted to a spark! That is the danger of losing one’s momentum when it comes to activism; you can always find a reason NOT to do it!
Throughout the weekend, I listened to each qualified and distinguished speaker with keen ears and bated breath. I was captivated by every one of them and felt compelled to act; my heart was moved so strongly. I was most intrigued by the Irish speakers, and not just because of their wonderful accents! The pro-life movement in Ireland is fascinating because, well, it was SUCCESSFUL! I had no idea that any countries in Europe were still anti-abortion, especially one as well-known as Ireland. Another encouraging aspect of their pro-life movement was that it was a YOUTH-movement! It was the young people of Ireland that kept abortion out of their country.
The speakers from Ireland’s pro-life organization, Youth Defence, detailed how it was a constant battle to keep abortion out of their country, what with there being pressure on all sides from the European Union and the United Nations. Even though they described their struggle as constant, it gave me hope, as an American, that one day we will be able to rid our country of the evil of abortion. It will undoubtedly be a long road ahead before we see abortion outlawed in America, but before we can even think of succeeding in the courts, we have to succeed on the streets, in the press, and ultimately in the hearts of the American people. We will have to work tirelessly and selflessly to follow in the footsteps of Ireland and make abortion unthinkable in our country—and in the whole world—by continuing to save babies and change hearts. Being a defender of life is not a new premise, but it is still the most noble work one can perform. In fact, this quote from Elie Wiesel, a man of extraordinary courage in a time of great terror -- the Jewish Holocaust -- perfectly describes why we cannot simply sit back and watch while our brothers and sisters are the victims of injustice:
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”It is by these words that I now live my life. Neutrality and silence are lethal—it is only through courage and by the light of God that we can end abortion. And it all starts with YOU making the choice to stand for what’s right—to stand for life. So, it is in this spirit of love for the unborn that I encourage you to read about the message of the International ProLife Youth Conference and I can guarantee that you too will be ready to set the world ablaze.
For the babies!
Claudia
Read about the IPYC:
Day 1
Day 2
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