Roe v. Wade upset raises hopes for those attending March for Life in Harrisburg

Sep. 17—The Supreme Court decision in June that overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling and ended the right to an abortion at the federal level has energized area residents who are planning to attend Monday's Pennsylvania March for Life in Harrisburg.

Many who have made arrangements to participate in the march feel they could be part of an historic shift in the state regarding the issues surrounding abortion.

"I've heard people describe this event as one of those pivotal moments in life," said Lin Podolinsky, director of operations for the Christian Family and Children's Center.

Podolinsky is arranging a community bus trip to the march on behalf of the organization that operates school campuses in Ligonier, Donegal and Indian Head.

As of Thursday, the 54 spaces on the bus weren't quite full, but Podolinsky noted more than half of the reservations were for students, mostly in grades 5-12.

"We have seen some more interest with our students going this year, and that is excellent," she said.

The local schools also sent a bus to the inaugural Harrisburg march last year and have made repeated trips to take part in an annual national March for Life in Washington, D.C.

But, as they look to Monday's Harrisburg march, Podolinsky said, "A lot of people want their voices heard, with the upcoming governor's election."

Abortion legislation in Pennsylvania is one of the issues that sharply divide Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano, who opposes abortion rights, and Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro. who has pledged to "continue to defend a woman's right to choose."

"We're looking forward to hearing the speakers as well," Podolinsky said of the Harrisburg event.

She said her group hopes to arrive in time for the 10 a.m praise and worship period.

An 11 a.m. rally is slated at the Capitol Building, followed by a march around the building at noon.

Among those slated to speak at the rally are: Jeanne Mancini and Michael Geer, respective presidents of the March for Life and the Pennsylvania Family Institute; state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, of Hempfield; House Speaker Bryan Cutler; Sen. Judy Ward, who chairs the Senate Aging and Youth Committee; and the Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, archbishop of Philadelphia.

"I think people are more optimistic about having state legislators make laws that will help pregnant women instead of maybe feeling that abortion is their only option," said Genevieve LaFosse of Latrobe.

A senior communications major, LaFosse is vice president of the 140-member Respect Life club at Saint Vincent College. While about 60 club members participated in a previous national March for Life, this is the first time the organization will be represented at the Harrisburg event.

Just a dozen are planning to go to Monday's event. Still, LaFosse said, "I think people are more hopeful for the future now that (determination of abortion parameters) is back on the individual states.

"We're looking forward to having the representation of our college men and women, being a voice for life in our state."

The Greensburg Catholic Diocese is taking reservations for five buses to the Harrisburg march from its service area of Westmoreland, Fayette, Armstrong and Indiana counties.

"Three of the buses are very full," Christina Cerilli, faith, family and discipleship specialist with the diocese, said on Thursday. At that time, nearly 160 had reserved seats for the trip, up from about 100 the diocese took to last year's event.

"A lot of people are very excited about going," Cerilli said. She said the trip participants have been invited to a reception with a group of state legislators and also plan to attend Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in Harrisburg.

Leading the contingent will be the Rev. Dan Carr, priest of St. Pius X Parish in Mt. Pleasant and director of pro-life activities for the diocese.

"I think a lot of people will be there marching because of Roe v. Wade being overturned," Carr said. "After 50 years, it's good to have it be more in the forefront, forcing us to have a conversation and be more aware of the issue.

"It's moved from a national spotlight to a state spotlight. This makes the Pennsylvania march all the more important."

Bishop Larry J. Kulick of the Greensburg Diocese won't be able to attend the march in person because he will be in Rome, where he is slated to have a meeting with Pope Francis after completing a seminar at the Catholic educational institute for new bishops. But, Carr said, Kulick will be featured in a recorded video to be shown during the reception with legislators.

Carr said the abortion issue is one part of his faith's overall stance "defending the right to life from the moment of conception until natural death."

He said those representing the diocese at the march will be asked to keep politics out of any messages they may display on signs.

"We stand for issues, not political parties," he said. "I hope that it's a peaceful and productive demonstration that will help people to understand the importance of having a conversation about difficult issues."

Among those riding to the march with the Christian Family and Children's Center, it will be up to each individual what particular message they may voice or display on a sign, Podolinsky said.

"We want to exemplify a Christian world view," she said. "Beyond that, we don't have any guidelines."

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .