March for marriage: April 9, 2005.

"Be not afraid."

These now-famous words of Pope John Paul II were spoken several times as words of support and encouragement for the estimated 15,000 people that gathered on the centre-lawn of Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 9, 2005, for the March-4-Marriage.

Organized in opposition to recent court decisions across Canada, and the subsequent introduction of Bill C-38 that would change the definition of marriage to be between two people regardless of gender, the March was a boisterous event that started with thousands of people gathering in front of the Supreme Court of Canada. Ironically, two statues flank the doors to the Supreme Court, one inscribed with "Veritas," the other with "Ivstatia." Neither Truth nor Justice has served Canadians since our nation was thrown into this debacle through the arrogant pronunciations of government-appointed judges.

As we marched from the Supreme Court and assembled on Parliament Hill, it was readily apparent that Canadians from all walks of life had committed themselves to this important demonstration. The marchers were composed of people of all ages, from small children to older people who well remember the sacrifices that earlier generations made in the name of democracy and freedom for our country. Chinese, Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu communities were well represented, many having travelled in caravans of buses from Toronto. The Knights of Columbus were present in full regalia.

A small contingent of perhaps 250 same-sex marriage supporters was gathered east of the Centennial Flame. They sported a number of signs of their own, the most prominent being banners for the NDP, and the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. The stark contrast between this group and any similarly gathered number of traditional marriage advocates, was the absence of children amongst those who would deny the natural order.

Lively music greeted the marchers from a stage in front of the Peace Tower. The opening prayer was engulfed with spontaneous applause and cheers upon the mention of the name of Pope John Paul II. Signs of the great Pontiff were evident in the gathered crowd.

After the singing of "O Canada," an impressive line-up of speakers took their turns addressing the crowd. Conservative and Liberal Members of Parliament, leaders of Christian organizations, representatives from ethnic churches and cultures, all spoke passionately and resolutely in support of the traditional definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

His Excellency, Marcel Gervais, Archbishop of the Diocese of Ottawa, spoke plainly that sodomy would be taught as normative to our children should Bill C-38 pass. Another speaker effectively addressed the parallelism to the women's rights movement that same-sex advocates have attempted to use by pointing out that women did not agitate to be called men in their drive for equality, thereby altering a fundamental definition in defiance of nature. The same logic can be applied to the civil rights movement. Another speaker directly challenged the national media present, the CBC and CTV to truthfully report the success of the March.

Speaker after speaker spoke about the sanctity of marriage, the imperative of children being raised by a mother and a father, and the thousands-year-old tradition that pre-dates the formation of nation states. Chants of "No, no," "We will win," and "Defend marriage" were raised throughout the speeches.

On a personal note, I confess to having despaired that, no matter what people of faith and reason do, the parade that ends with the faCade that is same-sex marriage in Canada will marshal with success. However, the prophet John Paul II was correct in recognizing that youth will restore us. Prevalent throughout the gathered crowd were invigorated young people in their late teens and twenties. They know that their steadfast future lies in the Christian heritage upon which Canada, and Western culture, was founded, and I raise my voice in concert with the youth of our nation that Canada will rise out of the depths of moral corruption and depravity to once again find its glory in the truth and light that is Jesus Christ.

During the March, people were singing the English words of a traditional South African song called "Siyahamba."

The words in Zulu are "Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'", translated to "We are marching in the light of God." Truer words were never sung.

Nick Burn is a computer statistician. He, his wife Karen and their children live in Ottawa, ON.