Spring Campaign Director Shawn Carney
As the 40 Days for Life Campaign nears the completion of its spring session, its leaders claim to have helped saved nearly four hundred babies from abortion. Organizers are now judging the campaign's effects and considering how to extend its success. The campaign encourages actions like 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, vigils outside abortion clinics and extensive community outreach.
"It was an amazing 40 days," said spring campaign director Shawn Carney. "Courageous people stood and prayed in rain, cold weather and snowstorms. Abortion workers tried to smear this effort with accusations that 40 Days for Life volunteers' prayers 'intimidated' their clients. But none of this could dissuade peaceful, determined people who know their efforts touch hearts and impact communities."
According to the campaign, participants' efforts helped save 389 babies from abortion. Activities reportedly were held in 135 cities in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland.
"There are undoubtedly others that we don't know about," said Carney. "We're aware that many appointments were canceled when several clinics closed unexpectedly on days when abortions are normally scheduled."
The campaign joined forces with the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, in which men and women with abortion experiences came forward to pray at abortion clinics and to warn women about the physical, emotional and spiritual damage they risk by undergoing an abortion.
40 Days for Life reports that over its four campaigns 466 local efforts have taken place in 240 separate cities in all 50 states and seven other countries. The organization says that more than 200,000 individuals and more than 4,000 churches have participated. Additionally, at least 17 abortion clinic employees have quit their jobs.
Its next campaign is scheduled for the fall from September 23 to November 1. Its website is at www.40DaysForLife.com.
Source: Catholic News Agency
Publish Date: April 7, 2009
