by Bonnie Finnerty, Education Director
A former abortion worker, a religious sister, and a Chinese exile all walk into a political convention.
What may sound like the beginning of a joke is actually what occurred at the 2020 Republican National Convention.
And history was made.
Never before has a political convention so boldly proclaimed a pro-life message.
Never before have such a diverse group of speakers united to proclaim what should be a self-evident truth in the United States of America:
Life is not a privilege granted by government but a right endowed to us by our Creator.
Tragically that right that has been denied to over 61 million pre-born American lives since 1973.
While too many in our country overlook the fundamental and inalienable right to life, those who spoke at the RNC do not, and they would not be silenced.
In the face of cancel culture, a hostile media, and a well-funded abortion lobby, they courageously declared on a national stage that abortion is a horrible wrong that can and must be made right.
They shared their life experiences, varied and complicated, to show that fighting for the most marginalized is the right thing to do, the American thing to do.
That is a message that has been muted in the past but is now finding its voice again.
I cannot help but think back to 1992, when my personal hero and fellow Scrantonian, the late Governor Robert Casey Sr. was denied the chance to speak at the 1992 Democratic National Convention because of his strong pro-life views, a position he refused to surrender to a political platform.
It was a turning point for many pro-lifers, including myself.
What would Governor Casey say about this Republican National Convention that didn’t just subtly whisper a pro-life sentiment but instead shouted a pro-life mandate loudly, clearly, and proudly for the world to hear?
I think he would be glad that someone finally had the courage to profess truth in a culture of lies.
I think he would admire the Republican Party for its defense of life as our first civil right.
And I think he would agree that President Donald J. Trump is the most pro-life President we’ve ever had.
And it is clear that President Trump will continue to build a culture of life.