PRO-LIFE STALWARTS

by

Thomas A. Horkan, Jr.

January 20, 2000   

   Jan. 22, the 27^th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Roe vs. Wade, brings back many memories.  On that day in 1973, while driving in Tallahassee, I heard on the radio that the court had approved of abortion.  "Oh well, another obstacle," I thought.  As it turned out. obstacle was not the word for it.

   In the intervening years, there have been many issues, meetings, conferences and battles, but the people I grew to know in the pro-life movement are the most memorable.  There are so many women and men (more women than men) who labored in the cause with me.  Two who stand out right now bear special mention.

   Jean Doyle is one.  Around 1971, three people from Orlando had come to Tallahassee to talk to me about establishing a Florida Right-to-Life Committee.   Tony Walsh was the most assertive, Arlene Pelzer the organizer and Jean Doyle, the quiet and retiring one.  There was one problem.  Dr. John Grady, a Belle Glade physician who later ran for governor, had incorporated under that name and had published a pamphlet in defense of the unborn.  When he heard of their interest and intentions, he gladly turned the corporation over to them.

  Tony and Arlene had other demands on their time, and Jean took over the reins of the committee.  She didn’t just lead the committee, she became its soul, assertive in defense of the unborn, speaking out on television and elsewhere and organizing affiliates all over the state.

   As the Florida Right-to-Life Committee developed into a vigorous voice in the Legislature and the public forum, Jean also became engrossed in the work of the National Right-to-Life Committee, eventually serving as its president.

   We worked in parallel, as I was working on the national level also.

   One of the great stories about Jean took place in the late '70s, when she, Dr. Jack Willke (another past president of NRT) and one other had an appointment with Ronald Reagan at his home to discuss the abortion issue.  A half-hour meeting went on for four hours; the future president became engrossed in the subject, and the rest of the story rests with this powerful pro-life president.

   In 1976, Jean became an ex-officio member of the state Pro-Life Coordinating Committee, which had just been established in the Florida Catholic Conference.  She was great to work with, a lot of fun, and a dynamic advocate.   The way this shy and retiring lady developed into such a powerhouse, through faith, determination and outrage at the treatment of pre-born infants, can only be attributed to the Lord.  Jean is in poor health now, but she will always be in my memory.

   Msgr. John McNulty is the other person who stands out.  In late 1975, the national bishops, and then the Florida bishops, had committed themselves to forming strong pro-life offices in each diocese, and statewide coordinating committees.  Our Florida committee met in early 1976.  No diocese had much to report at that early date, except St. Petersburg.  There, Msgr. McNulty had been at work for several years, on his own, in downtown St. Petersburg.  He had a citywide respect life committee, along with a ministry to the elderly, college students and migrant workers.   The other dioceses determined to catch up, but he always stayed ahead, expanding his diocesan programs.

   As we grappled to develop this new effort, the Msgn. McNulty kept coming up with new ideas.  First, he proposed a state wide pro-life pilgrimage to move around to each of the (then-five) dioceses.  The bishops approved; and when each diocese had hosted one, it was decided to conduct separate pilgrimages in each diocese, that continues today.  On special occasions, they come together for a statewide pilgrimage.  The pilgrimages are held on the Sunday close to the feast of the Annunciation, celebrating the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb. This year, the millenial year, will see a statewide pilgrimage to the shrine in St. Augustine.

   Once the pilgrimages were begun, Msgr. McNulty insisted that we should reach out to the youth, through annual meetings.  It took some prodding, but finally the committee proposed it and the Florida bishops approved.  The Florida Catholic Pro-Life Youth Congress has now been held every year since 1986.  Ten youths from each diocese come together to study and work for pro-life causes in meetings that rotate around the dioceses.  The youths have been more of an inspiration to the adults than vice versa.

   Msgr. McNulty also has conducted regular pilgrimages to St. Augustine.   On Sept. 25 of each year, he brings a pilgrimage to Tallahassee to commemorate what he computes to be the probable date of the quickening of the baby Jesus in Mary’s womb. Here the pilgrims recite the rosary on the Capitol steps, and he says Mass at an appropriate site.  The Masses have been held at the DeSoto site on Lafayette Street where the first Christmas Mass in the New World was celebrated; at the San Luis Mission, the westernmost major Spanish mission of 400 years ago; or at local churches.

   A great orator and preacher, and a wonderful person, Msgr. McNulty is also in failing health.

   There have been many more that I could go on and on about, as I have a tendency to do.  Jean and Msgr. McNulty just stand out in my thoughts as this day approaches.

   Going back to 1973, no one realized the impact of that Supreme Court decision, probably not even the justices who concurred in it.  Over 35,000,000 unborn children have been aborted to date.  Two generations of young people have grown up in a society that not only sanctions abortion rights, but whose present leaders champion it.   Our economically preoccupied national leaders grapple with a Social Security system threatened by the "birth dearth" and the aging society that lacks these 35,000,000 people to support it.  Thank God for the leaders who are pro-life.

   Jean Doyle and Msgr. John McNulty have earned our prayers for healing and peace.  At the same time, let us pray that the Lord continues to supply us with new generations of leaders with such faith, devotion and wisdom.