"Let them live" 2004.

Almost 4,000 people from across Canada attended this year's March for Life in Ottawa May 12-14, marking the seventh annual commemoration of the 1969 Trudeau government omnibus bill that legalized abortion, among other evils.

The three-day event encompassed Masses for Catholics, prayer services for others, a youth conference, a banquet, a candlelight vigil at the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument, a Silent No More testimony by a group of post-abortive women and the main attraction: a gathering on Parliament Hill and march through the streets of downtown Ottawa.

Archbishop Marcel Gervais of Ottawa made his first appearance at the March, celebrating the main pro-life Mass before about 1,000 people at Notre Dame Cathedral with more than a dozen other priests--including Bishop Richard Smith of Pembroke--and making a statement at the Parliament Hill rally. On both occasions, the Archbishop focused on the issue of embryonic stem cell research and how unnecessary it is to use embryos to cull the potentially life-enhancing cells. Adult stem cells, he emphasized, hold much more medical promise and are morally acceptable.

A highlight of the three days was a homily by Father Bob Bedard, founder and head of the burgeoning Companions of the Cross community of priests, during the opening Mass at St. Theresa's Parish. Bedard spoke in a manner rarely heard in a Catholic church in recent years, as he frankly asserted that Canada is living "in a rebellion against God" because of the widespread acceptance of evils such as abortion and homosexuality.

"We are a sinful nation," he said. "We are fed slogans that we swallow, but they're not true at all." He added that "there is a war going on" and "we must stand strong" because Canada has been redefining everything that God has set down for humankind.

"We'll tolerate anything. That's supposed to be good," said Bedard. "I'm ashamed of my country. It's barbaric."

He also referred to "Catholic" politicians who publicly espouse immorality as individuals for whom "power comes first. Everything else comes afterwards."

Father Bedard received an ovation from the several hundred people present when he concluded his homily, and was personally congratulated by many after the Mass.

The Parliament Hill rally was marked by the attendance of a wide range of religious representatives in addition to Catholics, including Rabbi Reuven Bulka of Congregation Machzikei Hadas and a minister of the Anglican Catholic church. Priests of the Eastern Orthodox Church, meanwhile, held a solemn memorial service for all aborted human beings at the eternal flame at the base of Parliament Hill.

Almost two dozen MPs appeared at the Parliament Hill rally, including regular stalwarts such as Tom Wappel, Dan McTeague, Jason Kenney and the retiring Elsie Wayne. Cheryl Gallant of the Conservative party made the comment that was seized on as an issue in the federal election campaign, comparing abortion to the beheading of a civilian in Iraq.

The March for Life event overall, which enjoyed its highest attendance yet, was characterized as very much a success by organizers.

"The march continues to grow in importance. The message doesn't change," said Bill Mullally, a March coordinator with the Campaign Life Coalition national office in Toronto. He expressed disappointment once again with the paucity of media coverage, but was hopeful that increased participation by groups including Catholic schools and the Knights of Columbus will help swell the numbers when the next March for Life takes place in Ottawa in May 2005.