February 3, 2017

More than 30 participate in pro-life gathering on Jan. 27 in Terre Haute

Chrysti Stewart, left, Jill Pfister, Ann Welch, Judy March, Doris Fisher and Jennifer Buell hold signs in front of the Vigo County Courthouse in Terre Haute during a pro­life observance on Jan. 27. (Submitted photo by Tom McBroom)

Chrysti Stewart, left, Jill Pfister, Ann Welch, Judy March, Doris Fisher and Jennifer Buell hold signs in front of the Vigo County Courthouse in Terre Haute during a pro‑life observance on Jan. 27. (Submitted photo by Tom McBroom)

Criterion staff report

As tens of thousands marched in Washington to promote life on Jan. 27, members from Catholic parishes and other faith communities gathered at the Vigo County Courthouse in Terre Haute for the seventh straight year to advocate for life.

“Typically, we only have a handful of participants,” said Tom McBroom, a member of St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute and coordinator of the event. “This year, we had over 30 people standing in the cold.”

He recognized participation from members of St. Patrick Parish and St. Joseph University Parish, both in Terre Haute, as well as participants from Annunciation Parish in Brazil. Also present were members from World Gospel Church and Eastside Baptist Church in Terre Haute, and Vision Baptist Church in Riley.

“All made time during their lunch hour to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves,” McBroom said.

He also noted that he “was surprised by the large number of women that attended our grassroots event” this year.

“One of the most common comments shared [was] that Saturday’s Women’s March for women’s rights [in Washington on Jan. 21] did not support a woman’s right to be born.”

McBroom also commented that, “for the first time in many years,” the pro-life event received positive local press coverage from the Terre Haute Tribune Star newspaper and from WTHI-TV, the Fox network channel for the Wabash Valley.

The press coverage was not the only positive response to the event. McBroom noted that the participants “witnessed many positive gestures and responses from motorists passing by the Vigo County Courthouse.” †

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