The Bethlehem/Easton Chapter of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation (PPLF) held a “Town Hall” with the Executive Director of PPLF, Maria Gallagher, and their Education Director, Remil Teny, Sept. 29 at St. Anne Church, Bethlehem.
Sal Rizzo, parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy, Easton and president of the Bethlehem/Easton Chapter of PPLF, hoped the event would “increase awareness of current trends in the pro-life movement.”
Additionally, Rizzo hopes that an event like this will “motivate more people to speak for life and get involved in pro-life work.” Many Americans do not realize what is at stake with candidates who continue to support a desire for abortion through birth.
Pennsylvania faces the possibility of having state-funded abortion through birth as many legislators advocate for this through bills and an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution. Abortions are already allowed in Pennsylvania for any reason until 24 weeks gestation, when an unborn baby can feel pain, hear, see, and live outside the womb with medical assistance. The record for the earliest baby to be born and survive due to NICU care is around 21 weeks gestation.
Teny was born in India, where babies are commonly aborted for simply being female. She shared how her mother first intended to abort her, but overcame significant challenges to stand up against the culture in her country and chose life. These circumstances later led Teny to pursue pro-life work and apply for a position at PPLF.
Gallagher has participated in dozens of Town Hall events in her 22 years with PPLF. She worked as the Education Director, Legislative Director, and now as the Executive Director. Her talk included challenges faced by the national and state pro-life movement in light of radical pro-abortion legislation and trends.
Margo Ging, a St. Anne’s parishioner, Respect Life Group member, and member of the Bethlehem-Easton Chapter, was a major player in advertising and planning the event. She participated to inform the community “on how they can engage with their representatives, elected officials, or candidates” about upcoming bills and legislative issues.
A special memorial for Eleanor Beighe was on display. Beighe worked in the pro-life movement for over 50 years. Ging explained that “[Eleanor] wanted to help with this Town Hall, but got sick a few weeks before the event.” Sadly, Eleanor passed away a few days before the Town Hall. “She was a great inspiration to many and will be missed by all.”
The Bethlehem/Easton Chapter of the PPLF meets at St. Anne’s four times a year. The next meeting will be the third Thursday in November, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m.
By Annaleigh Gidosh
