Oklahoma March for Life, pro-life events coming in January

Oklahomans are gearing up for an active January that will include several pro-life events and rallies across the state.

The annual Sanctity of Life Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Coakley on Jan. 20 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Mass also will be live-streamed. 

Mass will be followed by “Ignite for Life,” which will include an on-site, engaging pro-life speaker and live music. Noelle McHugh, co-coordinator for the Office of Respect Life Ministry for the archdiocese, said COVID precautions have created challenges, but it is important for the Mass and pro-life events to go on.  

One of the newest and largest pro-life events in Oklahoma will be the revival of the Oklahoma March for Life in Oklahoma. The large, pro-life rally and march will feature live music, food trucks and pro-life ministries from throughout Oklahoma. The march will include the archdiocese, the Diocese of Tulsa and other faith traditions in the state. 

Taking place one week before the National March for Life, the Oklahoma March for Life, will begin at the Oklahoma State Capitol and span approximately two miles. Details are available at okmarchforlife.com. 

“When we learned that the COVID pandemic would prohibit travel for many to the national march in D.C., we knew we needed to make a stand for life in our own community. We hope that this will continue to grow and be a longstanding event, representing our commitment to fight for life, our witness as a pro-life generation, and our hope to support life so abortion becomes unthinkable in Oklahoma,” said David McHugh, co-coordinator for the Office of Respect Life Ministry. 

“The idea was to have a local march not focused on politics, but focused on supporting women and their unborn children.” 

David McHugh said as things progressed, the local march turned into something more significant. The march has combined with groups from Tulsa as well as around the state to make the event one of the newest, most exciting public pro-life efforts in Oklahoma, he said. 

McHugh said being pro-life is about supporting women and is a huge health care issue. 

“People are trying to do the most compassionate thing, talking about the care of vulnerable women and their children. We want to walk with them through that.” 

The Oklahoma March for Life is accepting applications for ministry and supportive services booths for the rally. 

The goal is to help raise awareness of the support available to women and children in Oklahoma from health care to mental health and needs such as housing and transportation. 

The week after the Oklahoma march, the National March for Life will be held in Washington D.C. This year’s theme – “Together Strong: Life Unites!” – is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to the National Mall, all marching in solidarity to Capitol Hill. 

The day’s purpose commemorates the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states. The national march is considered the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. 

COVID precautions will be followed at each event. 

To reserve a pro-life service or ministry spot at the rally or for more information, e-mail [email protected].

Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.