Agitation for abortion-on-demand in the United States revved up in the 1960's and by 1967 at least one pro life group had been established in Colorado. There were definitely valiant informal pro-life efforts earlier than 1967, but as to formal organizations, we are not aware of any group before 1967.
So it has been 42 years of organized struggle on behalf of the unborn and others whose right to life has been challenged and stripped away. 42 years of prophetic Pro-Life witness in America. These have been 42 tough years as society has slid headlong down a slope – once described as slippery, now a slope no longer, but simply a chasm, a culture of death, embraced by a majority of politicians and other dubious leaders, and wildly promoted by the mainstream media.
The prophetic witness of the Pro-Life movement shares in the inspiration of John the Baptist, who while yet an unborn baby bore witness to the Unborn Christ Child by leaping for joy in his mother's womb (Lk 1:41-44)! So the prophetic voice of the Pro-Life / Culture of Life message is a childlike voice, reflecting a childlike spirit and a child-friendly heart! As the hidden child leaps in the mother's womb, so hidden hope leavens – stirs up – the spirit of true prophetic witness within the Pro-Life heart!
Pro – Life Services to pregnant women are prophetic in 3 respects. 1.) They are offered through and with Gospel values & virtues. 2.) These are services which would normally be provided by mainstream secular health care – but are actively opposed by that industry. 3.) These services are a moral contradiction to the society in which we live, hence they are a sign of God at work.
Pro – Life Educational & Political outreach on behalf of, and to teens, pregnant women and society in general, is prophetic for numerous reasons. But we can minimally mirror the prior points made above. 1.) It is a voice born of genuine concern and respect for the right to life of unborn children and the right to basic information of society at large. 2.) It is a critical message which should be delivered by media, educators, religious leaders and others, but instead is purposely muted and distorted by these negligent bodies. 3.) It is a voice – like John the Baptist's – of one crying out in the wilderness, a message rejected by the powerful elite, hence a sign of contradiction.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Mt 5:4-12).