Catholic Online Exclusive - An interview with Fr. Orsi before the Law of Life Summit

This is a big week for the pro-life movement in America. The Law of Life Summit is convening in Washington D.C. this Thursday and will be followed by a rally and march on Friday. Organizers hope to develop new solutions to the entrenched practice of abortion in our nation, a crisis that claims over one million lives per year, and possibly many more.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - If Americans were beset by a plague that took the lives of one million children per year, there would be no stopping until a cure were discovered. In the case of gun violence, which claims thousands of lives per year, including the lives small children, America is scrambling for a solution. Politicians are willing to go so far as to reinterpret the very Constitution to quell gun violence.

At the same time, abortionists, violently murder our babies in the womb by the millions, but because the abortion lobby has managed to convince Americans that "life begins at birth," a blatant scientific and medical falsehood, these deaths are rarely mentioned by the media.

This makes the work done by the pro-life movement critical. Part of that work is being done by Fr. Michael Orsi, the founding Chaplain of Ave Maria School of Law and a Research Fellow in Law and Religion. Fr. Orsi provides spiritual support and guidance to help direct the school's pro-life mission.

Catholic Online had the chance to ask Fr. Orsi a few questions.

COL: What brought you into this work?

Fr. Orsi: I was the Family Life Director in my home diocese of Camden NJ. I worked with a very Pro-Life bishop James T. McHugh. He was an excellent moral theologian and he guided me in the cause of life. I brought this broad and practical experience with me to Ave Maria School of Life.

 I was involved in high school work earlier and taught at St. Charles Seminary, Philadelphia, courses in moral theology. I also had extensive background in administration, which enabled me to promote the pro-life cause in an efficient and effective way.

COL: What are some of the specific things you are doing this week?

Fr. Orsi: I will be in DC for our school-sponsored Summit for Life at the Hyatt hotel on Thursday as one of the presenters. Later I will concelebrate Mass at the Basilica. On Friday, I will be at the March. EWTN and perhaps FOX will interview me along with some of our school leaders, Royce hood, Michael Acquilano, and Angela Swagler.

COL: One of the issues many concerned Catholics have with the pro-life movement as it is, is the simple fact that 40 years later, abortion is still legal in all 50 states. It suggests that the tactics up until this point aren't working. What new strategies are you considering to achieve success?

Fr. Orsi: The Summit's goal is to strategize ways to engage the media. Pro Life leaders from around the country will speak at the Summit and share their experiences and thoughts as to how this can best be done. We hope to have a united effort in the future. I remind everyone that the Christians eventually overcame the pagan morality of the Roman Empire. It took over 300 years, so patience and persistence is the key.

COL: Despite the tragic persistence of abortion in our society, there have been many smaller successes. What are some of yours?

Fr. Orsi: Each week our school's Lex Vitae (Law of Life) Society prays before Planned Parenthood. Our counselors have recorded some rescues. God knows how many more we influence not to abort. Only God knows! Personally, I was told by a woman that a young girl saw me praying outside Planned Parenthood and could not go through with her scheduled abortion. I hope there were more. I have also learned to listen to the students. Often times they have wonderful ideas and stories. We are a better school and a better Church because of our young pro-life leaders.

COL: Please add anything else you feel is relevant or of interest to our Catholic audience.

Fr. Orsi: Everyone should know that we are a pro-life law school- no compromise! We are lucky that in Florida we have Choose Life license plates. I encourage every Catholic to get them. It makes a strong statement.

Fr. Orsi, thank you for your time. We at Catholic Online pray for the success of your mission.

Editor's note: Catholic Online will be covering this event on the ground as it happens. Visit Catholic Online for more coverage of the Law of Life Summit in Washington D.C.

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