producing true social and cultural change unless we understand the fundamental right to life. All human beings have a right to life from the moment of conception until the moment of natural death.All other rights are dependent upon it. 

Alveda King, Martin Luther King's niece and pro-life advocate stated in a recent LifeNews.com article by Andrew Bair, that her uncle was strongly pro-life.  "Were he alive today, he would be working to secure peace and justice for those in the womb and healing for a nation that is still pained by over 53 million missing lives," King says.  "The toll abortion has taken on the African American community is enough to shock the conscience of every American."

Bair reports that "according to the US Census Bureau, African Americans comprise 12.4% of the American population; however, over 30% of the nation's abortions are done on black women. Recently released data from the New York City Department of Health shows the Big Apple hitting a 40% abortion rate. As if that number wasn't appalling enough, when the data is broken down all racial lines, around 60% percent of New York City's abortions are done on black women. In other words, 1,448 African American babies are aborted for every 1,000 born. Among black teens in New York City, that number jumps to a staggering 72% abortion rate or 2,360 abortions for every 1,000 babies born."

Bair also reports that "the Department of Health has reported that in the city of Philadelphia nearly half of all black babies are aborted."

Blessed John Paul II warned us that "A nation that kills its own children has no future."

As we mark another sad anniversary of the "legalization" of abortion in our nation, let us not be discouraged.  Look at those who gather at pro-life rallies all around the country; the majority of the participants are young people.

According to an article from LifeNews.com, a 2011 poll "finds a majority of Americans still consider themselves pro-life when it comes to the issue of abortion compared to those who say they're pro-choice."

In his encyclical letter Evangelium Vitae, Blessed Pope John Paul II urged us to build a culture of life.  Parents and the clergy need to teach young people about chastity.  The intimate sexual life of a man and woman, which is a beautiful gift from God, only takes place within the beauty and sacredness of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.  The Church is right when it declares that contraception is intrinsically evil and that it is gateway to the culture of death. 

Chastity; sacramental marriage; openness to life:  these are the key components of the culture of life and the key elements that we must teach, cherish and protect in our homes, in our schools and in our parishes. 

Let us continue to stand together at local abortion clinics with love.  Yes, it is true that our God is an awesome God and that people do change.  Let us continue to witness and to pray.  Let us also continue our work at the homes for unwed mothers and the crisis pregnancy centers.  Let us be witnesses of hope and joy. 

There is never a need for abortion.  There are plenty of people that will adopt any child. 

The souls of more than 53,908,072 aborted children in this country alone since January 22, 1973, cry out to you never to cease with your efforts to end the horrors of abortion in our nation.  Let us not forget.  Let us not be discouraged.

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Father James Farfaglia is the Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, TX.  Click here and listen to Father's Sunday homily on iTunes.  Visit Father on the web and check out his book Get Serious - A Survival Guide for Serious Catholics.